Nigeria reaffirms commitment to West African economic integration ahead of upcoming summit

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, reaffirmed the country’s dedication to working closely with the diplomatic community to promote the economic integration of West Africa. This is reported by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a partner of TV BRICS.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja, Tuggar emphasised the importance of collaboration with West African ambassadors in advancing this shared objective. The meeting was held in preparation for the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit (WAES), an initiative spearheaded by President Bola Tinubu, scheduled for 20 June.

Tuggar explained that the summit would provide a high-level, inclusive platform for economic discussions, focusing on the practical realities of regional market integration. He outlined that WAES would bring together a diverse group of participants, including Heads of State, Ministers, private sector leaders, development partners, and young innovators. 

According to the Minister, this inclusive approach, distinct from past initiatives, aims to address real-world challenges such as barriers to intra-regional trade, fragmented infrastructure, and inconsistent regulations, which hinder economic progress.