President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on leaders across West Africa to turn the region’s youthful population and abundant natural resources into engines for economic growth through industrialisation, innovation, and education.
Speaking at the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) held in Abuja on Saturday, President Tinubu described the region’s young demographic as its greatest asset—but also a potential risk if not harnessed effectively.
> “Our youth are our strength. But without the right investments in education, digital infrastructure, innovation, and enterprise, this promise could turn into a challenge,” Tinubu said in his opening address.
Collaboration Key to Regional Growth
Highlighting Nigeria’s investments in skills development, digital access, and youth empowerment, the President stressed the need for regional cooperation.
> “No single country can achieve transformation alone. Our shared prosperity relies on interconnected supply chains, energy networks, and data systems. We must build these together—or risk failing apart,” Tinubu warned.
He also urged West African nations to remove barriers to trade, citing that intra-regional trade remains below 10%, a figure he believes threatens the region’s economic competitiveness.
> “West Africa must coordinate or collapse. We need urgent action to boost trade and create an environment where businesses thrive,” he added.
Industrialisation Over Raw Export
On infrastructure and investment, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of local value addition and manufacturing, urging countries to move beyond the export of raw materials.
> “Africa was left behind in past industrial revolutions—we cannot afford to miss the next one. Our rare minerals are critical to green technologies, but we must process them here, creating jobs and technology hubs in the process.”
> “The era of just moving resources from pit to port must end,” he said. “We must invest in regional manufacturing and turn our mineral wealth into local economic value.”
Private Sector as Economic Driver
President Tinubu, who currently chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, acknowledged that while government policies matter, private sector innovation will drive real transformation.
> “Governments must ensure law, order, and market-friendly policies, but it is the entrepreneurial spirit of our people that will drive growth.”
Clear Targets for Development
Calling for actionable outcomes from the summit, Tinubu challenged leaders, policymakers, and business stakeholders to make firm commitments toward:
Improving the ease of doing business
Enhancing infrastructure and digital connectivity
Boosting intra-African trade
Creating opportunities for youth and women
> “We must shift from talk to action. This is about moving our people from poverty to prosperity and building a competitive, resilient West Africa.”
President Tinubu concluded by urging unity and shared responsibility, stressing that the time to build an investable future for West Africa is now.
