President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasised the need for collective action to drive economic growth and integration in West Africa.
Tinubu said this on Saturday in his opening speech on Saturday at the West Africa Economic Summit holding in Abuja
Tinubu, who is also the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, urged leaders to move beyond declarations and focus on concrete deals and practical implementation.
The President noted that intra-regional trade in West Africa remains low, at less than 10%, and attributed this to coordination failure. He emphasized the need for stronger regional value chains, investment in infrastructure, and policy coordination to boost trade and economic growth.
Tinubu highlighted the region’s youthful population as a significant asset, but stressed that this demographic promise can quickly become a liability if not matched by investments in education, digital infrastructure, innovation, and productive enterprise.
The President emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in designing and implementing joint projects, such as the Lagos-Abidjan Highway and West African Power Pool. He also called for more investment in local processing and regional manufacturing to create jobs, technology, and economic value.
Tinubu noted that governments must provide the right environment, including law and order and market-friendly policies, while the private sector drives growth. He urged leaders to find new and effective ways to invest in the region’s collective future, improve the business climate, and create opportunities for youth and women.
The President called on leaders to emerge. He urged them to prioritize ease of doing business, enhanced intra-regional trade, improved infrastructure connectivity, and innovative ideas that can move people out of poverty and into prosperity.
Tinubu concluded by calling for a new West African proposition that is investable, competitive, and resilient. He emphasised the need for vision, responsibility, and unity in driving the region’s economic growth and development.
