Abuja to Host Landmark West Africa Economic Summit This June

…7,000 SMEs expected to attend – President AASME

By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria is set to host a major regional economic gathering, the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) 2025 from June 20 to 21 at the newly renovated Abuja International Conference Centre, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday in Abuja, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, said the summit was designed as a turning point for economic collaboration and development in the region.

Themed “Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region,” the summit will bring together heads of state, ministers, private sector players, development partners, and youth innovators from across West Africa and beyond.

“This isn’t just another government event—it’s about the people, the entrepreneurs, the traders, the young minds shaping the future. True economic growth can’t be state-driven alone. The private sector must take center stage”, Tuggar said.

Focus Areas and Key Features

WAES 2025 will focus on reducing barriers to regional trade, boosting investment in infrastructure and energy, and empowering small businesses, women, and youth. Highlights will include:

A Presidential Roundtable and CEO Forum for top-level dialogue.

The WAES Deal Room, facilitating high-stakes B2G and B2B transactions across sectors like agribusiness, energy, infrastructure, and digital finance.

The West Africa Business Expo, showcasing over 100 SMEs and development projects to strengthen intra-regional business links.

Youth & Cultural Empowerment Series, including art exhibitions, innovation pitches, and leadership panels.

Tuggar stressed that the summit is aligned with both ECOWAS goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and reflects Nigeria’s commitment to deeper regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

Private Sector and Grassroots Inclusion

Addressing concerns about inclusivity, Tuggar emphasized that the summit would not be limited to high-level stakeholders. This is as he also reaffirmed that grassroots participation and regional ownership were baked into the summit’s design.

“When we talk about SMEs, we’re talking about real people—the everyday entrepreneurs who keep our economies running. This is not about waiting for foreign investment. It’s about what we can do together as a region”, he noted

Sustainability and Long-Term Impact

On the sustainability of the initiative, the Minister said existing ECOWAS frameworks provide the backbone, but WAES is meant to move beyond paperwork.

“It’s not just about legal structures—it’s about action and partnerships that last beyond any single government’s term,” he said.

Tuggar credited President Tinubu for revisiting the economic integration vision once pushed by pioneers like Adebayo Adedeji, whose Lagos Plan of Action advocated for Africa’s industrialization and value-added production—long before today’s trade blocs became fashionable.

“Invitations have been delivered in person to regional leaders by special envoys, signaling the seriousness of Nigeria’s commitment to hosting a meaningful and results-driven summit.

“Let’s stop waiting for invitations to summits overseas. Let’s tell our own story, on our own soil,” Tuggar said.

Certainly! Here’s a professionally written news report based on the interview with Dr. Ebiekure Jasper Eradiri, President of AASME:

ADVERTISEMENT

President of the African Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (AASME), Dr. Ebiekure Jasper Eradiri, said the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit is a timely and strategic platform for unlocking growth opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the region.

Speaking in an exclusive interview ahead of the event, Dr. Eradiri described the summit as “a novel idea” that deserves commendation for fostering economic integration and enhancing private sector collaboration.

“The West Africa Economic Summit is a commendable initiative because it promotes regional economic integration — something that is essential for SME growth.

“It creates access to markets, encourages business-to-business and business-to-government engagements, and gives SMEs insights into government direction, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”, he said.

Highlighting the significance of the event, Eradiriemphasised that the timing aligns with the African Union’s 4th SME Forum, also being hosted in Abuja from June 23.

According to him, AASME is working with stakeholders to mobilize up to 7,000 SMEs to participate in both events.

“The beauty of this alignment is that it gives SMEs a wider window of opportunity — not just to learn, but also to network, showcase their products, and increase sales. It’s a chance for them to flourish and prosper in a competitive market landscape”, he noted.

Dr. Eradiri expressed optimism that the summit would serve as a launchpad for stronger regional SME collaboration under the broader framework of AfCFTA, helping businesses scale and gain cross-border visibility.