Tinubu Rallies West African Leaders, Investors

President Bola Tinubu yesterday rallied regional leaders, global investors and top business executives to Abuja for the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), urging stakeholders to embrace unity and strategic cooperation as the pathway to shared prosperity in the sub-region.

Although the president is scheduled to attend the summit in person today, he took to his verified X handle, @officialABAT, to officially welcome delegates arriving for the opening day of the landmark event, which is themed “One Voice, One Future.”

“In keeping with my promise to convene a regional economic summit leveraging the opportunities and strengths of the West African economy, I welcome fellow Heads of Government, regional and international business executives, global investors, and the public to Abuja for the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit starting today,” the president posted.

President Tinubu, who also serves as chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said the gathering offers a historic opportunity to chart a collective course for sustainable economic integration, improved trade flows, and cross-border investments within the region.

“West Africa is speaking with #OneVoiceOneFuture,” he added, reinforcing the summit’s call for stronger regional ties and a united economic front in a rapidly changing global economy.

The two-day summit, taking place at the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, features high-level dialogues on trade, infrastructure, innovation, and investment promotion.

Heads of state from ECOWAS countries, multinational CEOs, development partners, and policy experts are expected to engage in sessions designed to identify practical steps for regional economic transformation.

Coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the WAES 2025 is one of the signature initiatives under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope foreign policy and economic diplomacy drive.

The summit also aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) vision to promote seamless trade and industrial linkages across Africa.

Investment matchmaking forums and country-specific presentations are expected to showcase national reform agendas and projects, including Nigeria’s own infrastructure drive, green economy transitions, and digital economy push.

Delegations from across West Africa are set to highlight efforts to build resilient economies and attract global capital, while reinforcing ECOWAS’ role as a bloc for peace, stability, and economic inclusion.

The summit resumes on Saturday with President Tinubu expected to deliver a keynote address to round off the historic gathering.