At the just-ended West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja, regional leaders laid out bold visions for economic transformation and cooperation. In a series of compelling speeches, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Liberian President Joseph Boakai, and Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio emphasized the urgency of regional integration, value-added trade, and institutional reform.
Their remarks reflected a shared commitment to unlocking West Africa’s economic potential through strategic dialogue, cross-border collaboration, and inclusive growth. Below are highlights from each leader’s speech as delivered during the summit.
President Bola Tinubu, Immediate Past Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States, has urged West African countries to swiftly embrace economic unity, align their policies, and pursue aggressive investment to ensure a prosperous future for the region.
During his address at the inaugural West African Economic Summit in Abuja, Tinubu emphasised that the era of symbolic gestures is over, urging regional leaders to focus on delivering concrete results.
The Nigerian warned that West Africa could not afford to waste time or depend solely on international partners.
In his words, the subregion’s economy must be resilient, competitive and adaptive.
Liberian President Joseph Boakai applauded the regional bloc ECOWAS for a bold and transformative agenda in promoting regional trade and industrialisation.
While calling for the removal of trade barriers to facilitate the ease of doing business and attract foreign investment in West Africa, Boakai stressed the need for deeper collaboration anchored on peace and stability.
President Boakai also outlined some remarkable achievements by his government in revving Liberia’s economy.
He described the West Africa Economic Summit as a timely and welcomed exchange platform.
Conflict Change and environmental degradation, conflict, political instability, corruption and economic difficulties marked by inflation and international market indices, according to the Sierra Leonean President, are among many of the challenges West Africa faces.
President Julius Maada Bio, however, insists that the subregion has great potential to turn these challenges into opportunities.
Hi underscored the regions, youthful population and human resources base, industries and mineral resources, capital and trade corridors as areas of concentration for immediate action.
He was speaking at the inaugural West African Economic Summit in Abuja.
