WAES Is Grounded In The Practical Realities Of Our Regional Market, The immense Potential Of Our People.... Amb Tuggar ..... To organize WAES Summit In Abuja

Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar
Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister

"Let us see every flag of West Africa represented, every voice heard, and every country’s corporate sector showcased." Amb. Tuggar.

.... Says "WAES offers a rare opportunity for West African countries to take ownership of their economic destiny by confronting the persistent barriers to intra-regional trade, fragmented infrastructure, and inconsistent regulatory environments". 

As Nigeria prepares to host the West Africa Economic Summit, which will expectedly run from June 20th to 21st, 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has stated that WAES is an "Initiative that pertains to our shared future, one that is founded on mutual interest, collective prosperity, and regional unity".

Tuggar stated this during a stakeholders engagement with West Africa Ambassadors. According to the Minister, "This Summit is designed as a high-level, non-political, and inclusive platform for West African economic integration. It brings together Heads of State, Ministers, private sector leaders, development partners, youth innovators, and entrepreneurs. Unlike past efforts rooted solely in institutional frameworks, 

Ambassador Tuggar revealed that, "The decision to convene WAES outside the traditional ECOWAS framework was intentional. It highlights the economic need to foster integration among all West African states, regardless of current regional affiliations. 

"The message is straightforward; when we prosper together, we prosper better. WAES offers a rare opportunity for West African countries to take ownership of their economic destiny by confronting the persistent barriers to intra-regional trade, fragmented infrastructure, and inconsistent regulatory environments. 

"It provides a forum to articulate our common development priorities, promote scalable investments, and unlock youth-driven innovation.

"As I stated during my welcome address at the recent ECOWAS at 50 celebration in Lagos, the Atlantic world has long played a defining role in shaping the architecture of the modern global order. The wealth of the West African coast—our gold, our labour, our very people—fuelled empires and financed revolutions; yet we have been denied a fair stake in the prosperity we helped create. 

"While others developed on the back of Atlantic commerce, West Africa has remained short-changed. Today, we are no longer spectators. We now stand at the threshold of a new Atlantic era of prosperity. 

"This time, we will shape its terms. This time, we will ensure equity. This time, West Africa will rise not as a resource base for others, but as a fully engaged and empowered actor in global trade and transformation.

"To achieve this and more, your full representation and active participation in this Summit are desirable and essential. The breadth and impact of WAES will be measured by the resolve of our collective voice and the diversity of our contributions. Let us see every flag of West Africa represented, every voice heard, and every country’s corporate sector showcased. 

"To this end, His Excellency, President Tinubu, has personally written to each of his West African counterparts, extending his invitation and appointing Special Envoys to deliver those letters and deepen the diplomatic outreach. On my part, I have also written to my fellow Foreign Ministers, members of the diplomatic community, business leaders, trade organisations, and other relevant institutions across our subregion.

The Minister urged for active support in the following areas of participation from respective Heads of State, Ministers of Trade, Finance, and Foreign Affairs.

This is as he canvassed for the involvement of national business communities, chambers of commerce, and startup ecosystems, engagement of youth networks and innovation clusters to participate in the Innovation and Enterprise Expo

Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar also urged that the Ambassadors should offer  counsel, opinions, and insight as we refine our agenda and programme over the coming days.

"We also ask that you act as WAES Ambassadors, championing this vision within your respective missions. Your presence, platforms, and partnerships will be crucial in shaping both the perception and the outcomes of this regional initiative.

"This is a moment of shared responsibility. As the world undergoes geopolitical realignments and economic protectionism, we must stand as an example of how regional unity can deliver genuine, people-focused prosperity. We must ensure that West Africa is economically relevant, strategically coordinated and globally competitive. Tuggar stated.