DATE
June 20-21, 2025
LOCATION
Abuja International Conference Centre
Overview of the event
The West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) is a premier regional event that unites leaders, policymakers, business stakeholders, and youth to drive economic integration, promote investment, and foster sustainable growth across West Africa, serving as a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and shared prosperity in the region. With the theme “Unlocking Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Region,” the Summit aims to foster dialogue, build partnerships, and drive regional cooperation to position West Africa as a globally competitive and unified economic bloc.
West Africa Economic Facts and Figures
Intra-regional food trade in West Africa value is estimated at 10 billion annually
West Africa accounted for 25.7% of intra-African trade in 2023
Hosts
WAES 2025 is hosted by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the active participation and support of other West African Heads of State and Governments. The event reflects a shared regional commitment to deepening economic integration, fostering strategic dialogue, and unlocking collective prosperity across West Africa.
West African Heads of State
His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé
President of the Togolese Republic
His Excellency Patrice Talon
President of the Republic of Benin
His Excellency Ibrahim Traoré
Interim President of Burkina Faso
His Excellency José Maria Neves
President of the Republic of Cabo Verde
His Excellency Alassane Ouattara
President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
His Excellency Adama Barrow
President of the Republic of The Gambia
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama
President of the Republic of Ghana
His Excellency Colonel Mamady Doumbouya
Interim President of the Republic of Guinea
His Excellency Umaro Sissoco Embaló
President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau
His Excellency Joseph Boakai
President of the Republic of Liberia
His Excellency General Colonel Assimi Goïta
Interim President of the Republic of Mali
His Excellency General Abdourahamane Tchiani
President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland
His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye
President of the Republic of Senegal
His Excellency Julius Maada Bio
President of the Republic of Sierra Leone
Speakers
Mr. Wale Edun
Honourable Minister of Finance and CME
H.E. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Director General, World Trade Organization
H.E Amina Mohammed
Deputy UN Secretary General
Prof. Okey Oramah
President & Chairman, African Export-Import Bank
Prof. Jefferey D. Sachs
Director, Center for Sustainable Development in the Earth Institute
Partners
Our official partners include
Details
PLANNER
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Republic of Nigeria
registration@waes2025.org