Fostering Regional Integration
Driving regional prosperity through trade, innovation, and cooperation. The Garki Declaration marks a new era of shared progress across West Africa.
About WAES
We Connect West African Leaders Globally
The West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) fosters collaboration among policymakers, private sector leaders, and innovators to advance economic cooperation, trade integration, and sustainable development. Institutionalised under the Garki Declaration, WAES unites 15+ nations to promote shared prosperity and innovation.
What We Do
Our Purpose
WAES was created to accelerate inclusive economic growth by fostering partnerships, unlocking investment, and championing innovation across West Africa's emerging sectors.
West Africa's business landscape is uniquely diverse, both in terms of sectors and demographics. There are many languages spoken throughout the region. Additionally, there is a strong interest in new industries that are enabled by digital technology, science, and innovation.
These trends are evident all around West Africa, with the goal of making a positive difference through collaborative efforts.
WAES 2025 Highlights & Reports
Key outcomes and transformative initiatives from our latest summit
Operationalising Integration: The Nigeria-Benin Trade and Investment Framework
This brief analyzes the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin at WAES 2025. It serves as a blueprint for resolving border frictions, formalizing informal trade corridors, and establishing a rules-based trade governance model within ECOWAS.
Powering the Single Market: A Strategic Roadmap for Energy Security and Infrastructure Resilience
This policy paper addresses the critical infrastructure deficits and energy poverty constraining West Africa's growth. It outlines the WAES 2025 resolution to balance fossil fuels with renewable energy transitions and introduces the Infrastructure Mediation Roadmap to unlock stalled regional projects.
Mobilising Capital for West Africa: Insights from the 2025 Deal Room
This publication reviews the performance of the WAES Deal Room, a flagship investment facilitation platform. It highlights the mobilisation of over $50 million in potential investments and the engagement of institutional investors in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
The Next Generation Economy: Embedding Youth Innovation in Regional Integration
Drawing from the Pre-WAES Youth Futures Roundtable, this paper outlines strategies to harness West Africa's demographic dividend. It focuses on access to capital for youth-led MSMEs, digital infrastructure harmonisation, and the creation of regional innovation incubators.
Pit to Port" to Value Creation: A Policy Framework for West African Industrialisation
This policy paper addresses the structural inefficiencies in West African trade, specifically the reliance on raw material exports. It advocates for a "value-chain smart" economy, targeting a shift from 12-13% intra-regional trade to 50% by 2030 through the removal of non-tariff barriers and the localization of processing capacity.
Institutionalising Regional Prosperity: Outcomes of the Inaugural West Africa Economic Summit
This report details the proceedings of the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) held in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 20-21, 2025. It outlines the transition from ad-hoc convenings to a permanent biennial platform, highlighting the adoption of the Garki Declaration and the establishment of a permanent Secretariat to drive economic sovereignty and integration.
Investment Hub (Deal Room)
The WAES Deal Room is the region's flagship investment facilitation platform. It connects high-potential West African ventures with institutional investors, DFIs, and global capital.
The 2025 Deal Room facilitated the signing of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin to formalize trade corridors and industrial cooperation.
Investment by Sector (USD)
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Voices of Impact
Hear from leaders, partners, and participants about the transformative power of WAES
Thank you for having me as a guest. My appreciation goes to the entire team that put WAES together
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