Keypoints:
- Tinubu calls for urgent economic realignment
- Intra-regional trade under 10 percent is ‘a crisis’
- Liberia urges ECOWAS to engage Sahel breakaway states
NIGERIAN President Bola Tinubu has issued a bold call for West African nations to reset their approach to regional trade and economic cooperation, warning that inaction will deepen the region’s marginalisation in the global economy.
Speaking on the second day of the West African Economic Summit in Abuja, Tinubu, who also chairs the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), urged leaders to turn political commitments into practical outcomes by boosting trade, aligning economic policies, and investing in their youthful population.
‘Intra-regional trade below 10 percent is a crisis’
President Tinubu lamented that intra-West African trade still lags below 10 percent, despite the region’s immense economic and demographic potential.
‘We cannot continue to operate in isolation,’ he said. ‘Intra-regional trade below 10 percent is not just a poor statistic — it is a crisis of missed opportunities. The world will not wait for West Africa to get its act together, and neither should we.’
He stressed the urgency of reimagining regional economic architecture, with coordinated reforms aimed at unlocking industrial growth and fostering innovation across borders.
Youth, innovation and coordination key to prosperity
Tinubu spotlighted West Africa’s youthful population as its most valuable resource, but warned that the demographic dividend could quickly turn into a burden without the right investment.
‘Our young people are our strength — but that potential can become a liability if we fail to provide education, digital infrastructure and opportunities for enterprise,’ he said.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, echoed the president’s call, saying: ‘Now is the time to reset our vision for the region’s economic future. We must trust in the creative energy and ingenuity of our people to drive transformation.’
Tuggar emphasised the importance of free markets, regional coordination and strong private-sector partnerships as critical levers for long-term growth.
Liberia urges dialogue with Sahel ex-members
While the summit focused heavily on trade and integration, political disunity within ECOWAS also took centre stage. Liberian President Joseph Boakai appealed to fellow leaders to maintain open channels of communication with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, three former ECOWAS members currently ruled by military juntas.
‘We must keep the door open for engagement and reconciliation with our sister states that have left the community,’ Boakai said. ‘Renewed cooperation is vital, especially in the face of shared regional threats.’
Summit gathers momentum ahead of ECOWAS session
The summit served as a key lead-up to the 67th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS, drawing participation from heads of state and government from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Gambia, Benin, Togo and Guinea-Bissau.
Also present were ministers of finance, trade, infrastructure, and foreign affairs from ECOWAS member states, alongside regional institutions such as the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), West African Monetary Institute (WAMI), ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), and the AfCFTA Secretariat.
The summit concluded with a strong emphasis on reviving regional trade, reducing dependency on foreign imports, and strengthening African-led economic frameworks.
