June 21, Abuja, 2025— As they convened in Abuja today for the 2025 West Africa Economic Summit, leaders from throughout the region reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting economic unity and sustainable prosperity. Significantly, President Bola Tinubu collaborated with his ECOWAS member state colleagues to develop a shared plan for the continent’s development.
Key Takeaways & Strategic Results of the Summit
Expansion of AfCFTA Trade
With reduced tariffs and simplified trade facilitation, keynote speakers praised the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework and predicted a 30% increase in intra-ECOWAS exports over the next five years.
The Connectivity Fund is $10 billion.
Delegates gave their approval to the establishment of the West Africa Connectivity Fund, which aims to improve digital infrastructure, roads, and railroads in order to close transportation bottlenecks and promote international trade.
Fintech and Agribusiness Innovation
In order to ensure farmers have cheap access to money and improve regional food security, a special session highlighted fintech platforms that have already lowered smallholder lending rates by 40%.
500 Megawatt Sahel Solar Project
In order to move the Sahel belt closer to its renewable goals and lessen its reliance on fossil fuels, renewable energy specialists presented ideas for a 500 MW solar infrastructure.
A “Green Growth Pact” was endorsed by Summit attendees, who pledged to support sustainable mining methods and carbon-neutral industrial zones. The goal of a new cross-ministerial task force is to reduce border delays by 20% by standardizing customs procedures.
Read Also: Tinubu Joins Regional Leaders at West Africa Economic Summit (WAES)
The Youth Innovation Challenge
As a permanent legacy, leaders declared an annual Innovation Challenge to support startups in the fields of health, education, and climate resilience, strengthening West Africa’s competitive advantage on the international scene and empowering the continent’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
