By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
The West African Borders – Bother trade took centre stage at the table of panel discussions with 15 heads of State of West African leaders, present, at the two day West Africa Economic Summit, held, 20th, 21st June, 2025, at the Africa Hall, Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Center, Abuja.
Standard Times Nigeria reports that Nigeria’s President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, addressed the African leaders at the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
President Tinubu emphasized the need for deeper economic integration in the region.
The President Tinubu highlighted the shared commitment of West African leaders to shape a new economic future for the region, stressing that the global economy won’t wait for West Africa to get its act together.
The Nigerian President expressed concerns about the Low Intra-Regional Trade, pointing out that intra-regional trade remains below 10%, attributing this to coordination failures rather than a lack of will.
“Tinubu urged regional leaders to strengthen regional value chains, invest in modern infrastructure, and align economic policies.
According to the President: “Africa’s Youthful Population is its greatest asset, Tinubu emphasized that West Africa’s greatest asset is its youthful population, which can become a liability if not matched with investments in education and skills development.
The Nigerian President cited Nigeria’s focus on youth empowerment, skills development, and digital infrastructure as examples to be scaled across the region.
Speaking to Value-Added Industries, the president stressed the importance of moving beyond exporting raw materials and prioritizing value-added industries.
President Tinubu, warned against the “pit to port” approach, advocating for local processing and regional manufacturing to harness the region’s vast mineral wealth.
On Regional Development, President Tinubu called for urgent efforts to dismantle trade barriers across the subregion, emphasizing the need for West Africa to coordinate or collapse in the race for global economic relevance.
President further stressed about Economic Integration, “Deeper economic integration is crucial for West Africa’s growth and development, just as he encourages leaders to invest in Infrastructure. Investing in modern infrastructure is essential for strengthening regional value chains, ” the President said.
On Youth Empowerment, he added: “Empowering the African youthful population through education and skills development is vital for the region’s economic transformation, while he further stressed that Prioritizing value-added industries can help West Africa harness its mineral wealth and create jobs.
President Joseph Boakai, President of Republic of Liberia, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, The President of the Republic Of Benin, The President Of Senegal, President Bassirou Dioaye, among others, all spoke to the challenging issues of the African borders – bother trades as a discouraging factors hindering Intra-regional trade, that encumbered the social economic growth development of the region, just as the African leaders resolved to end decades of these menace. As the era of Charities and International aid, the leaders say, is no more in Africa.