Chidimma Uchegbu
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has said the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) which began on Friday 20th May, 2025 is more than a mere Summit, reiterating its steadfast commitment to inclusive, region-wide collaboration, bringing together all West African countries.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated this while welcoming participants to the maiden edition of the WAES at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
The Minister of State emphasized that the WAES is a platform of purpose where policy meets enterprise, where leadership engages innovation, and where West Africa speaks with one voice on the promise of regional integration.
“WAES is more than a summit. It is a platform of purpose where policy meets enterprise, where leadership engages innovation, and where West Africa speaks with one voice on the promise of regional integration.
“Our nations have long engaged not merely as neighbours, but as sisters, brothers, and comrades. Bound by a unique thread that extends across a vast diaspora, uniquely positioning us as leaders on the global stage” Amb. Bianca said.
Amb. Bianca stated that the Summit reflects Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to inclusive, region-wide collaboration, bringing together all West African countries, irrespective of institutional alignments, to confront shared challenges and seize the opportunities that await us.
According to her, the West African industries have already proven their strength through significant achievements in banking, digital services, agriculture, and extractive.
“We are not here to debate how to build industries; we have shown that we can lead and scale sectors to meet regional demands and enrich global markets. The task before us now is to safeguard our regional bloc and drive the expansion of our industries through farsighted integration policies and reforms that reinforce our economic sovereignty”, the Minister of State stressed.
She said this Summit is not just another meeting, but a turning point, a moment of collective resolve to translate potential into prosperity.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Nigeria, I welcome you once again to Abuja. I encourage us all to engage fully, think boldly, and leave here with concrete outcomes that will advance trade and investment across West Africa”, she added.
Also speaking, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole called for integrated West Africa market place.
The Minister noted that the vision of one-market will break down the sundry barriers that have continued to choke the movement of goods, services and people within the West Africa region.
“The time for truly integrated West Africa marke place is now.
“The vision of one market is not simply idea, its a necessity. It means breaking down the tariff and non-tariff barriers that continued to choke the movement of goods, services and people”, she stressed.
Highlighting the importance of WAES, Jumoke said it’s a sign that the region has resolved to work together and shape its future.
“This is more than just a conference, it’s a sign that we are taken greater ownership of our own good story, investing ourselves to shape our own agenda and work together with purpose and clarity”.
According to her, Africa find itself in a position where they are the most resources-riched Continent in the world, yet lacks the infrastructure and industrial system that will drive our future.
Continuity, she said: “With the population of over 400 million people and a shared history of enterprise and resilience, West Africa holds enormous untapped potentials, yet we must acknowledge the fundamental truth that our businesses cannot scale if our market remain fragmented.
While acknowledging the modern scale of Ecowas trade liberalisation scheme on common tariffs, the Minister said much is still desired to enhance regional trade among our countries.
