Tinubu Rallies West Africa Toward Economic Unity at Inaugural Regional Summit
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on West African nations to abandon fragmented economic policies and unite in building a more integrated and prosperous regional economy.
Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit, Tinubu laid out a bold vision for a new regional economic paradigm anchored on cooperation, infrastructure, youth empowerment, and policy coherence.
Addressing a hall filled with Heads of State, business leaders, policymakers, and development partners, President Tinubu welcomed participants with a firm call to action.
“It is an honour to welcome you all—fellow Heads of State, distinguished guests, delegates, and partners—to the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit,” Tinubu began. “Your presence here signals our shared commitment to shaping a new economic future for our region.”
The Nigerian leader described the summit as a “decisive moment,” urging countries to focus not on past achievements, but on the urgent need to dismantle barriers that have stifled collective growth across the subregion.
“Today is not about celebrating how far we’ve come but forging a new path that leaves behind fragmentation and missed opportunities and moves us toward deeper integration, collective action, and shared prosperity,” he stated.
Highlighting the paradox of West Africa’s vast economic potential and persistently low intra-regional trade, Tinubu noted that the region is “one of the last great frontiers of economic growth.” However, he cautioned that opportunity alone does not guarantee transformation.
“Opportunity is not destiny. We must earn it through vision, integration, policy coherence, collaboration, and capital alignment.”
He decried the fact that intra-regional trade remains below 10%, attributing this to a “coordination failure” rather than a lack of willpower.
“The global economy will not wait for West Africa to get its act together, and neither should we,” he warned. “Rather than competing in isolation or relying on external partners, we must strengthen our regional value chains, invest in infrastructure, and coordinate our policies.”
A major theme in the President’s address was youth empowerment and regional collaboration. Describing West Africa’s youthful population as its greatest asset, he warned of the dangers of failing to invest in human capital.
“This demographic promise can quickly become a liability if not matched by investments in education, digital infrastructure, innovation, and productive enterprise,” he said, pointing to Nigeria’s own efforts in skills development and youth empowerment.
Tinubu emphasised that no single nation can thrive in isolation. He cited transnational projects such as the Lagos-Abidjan Highway and the West African Power Pool as examples of success through cooperation.
“We must move from declarations to concrete deals; from policy frameworks to practical implementation,” he stressed.
Turning his focus to the fourth industrial revolution and the green economy, Tinubu highlighted Africa’s position as a key supplier of rare minerals vital to emerging technologies.
“It is not enough to be resource-rich; we must become value-chain smart and invest in local processing and regional manufacturing,” he declared. “The era of pit to port must end.”
He also underscored the role of the private sector as a driver of growth and innovation.
“The fundamental transformation will not come solely from government but from unleashing our people’s entrepreneurial spirit. Governments must provide the right environment—law, order, and market-friendly policies—while the private sector drives growth.”
President Tinubu closed his address with a rousing call for actionable outcomes and regional resolve.
“Let us emerge from this summit with actionable outcomes: a renewed commitment to ease of doing business, enhanced intra-regional trade, improved infrastructure connectivity, and innovative ideas that move our people from poverty to prosperity.”
“Let us build a West Africa that is investable, competitive, and resilient—one that leads with vision, responsibility, and unity. This is the new West African proposition. Let us make it real, let us make it bankable.”
The summit is expected to conclude with a joint communiqué outlining strategic commitments to deepen economic integration, drive investment, and boost regional competitiveness.
As the region looks ahead, Tinubu’s clarion call is expected to galvanise policymakers and stakeholders into a new era of economic cooperation, practical reforms, and shared prosperity.
