The inaugural West African Economic Summit (WAES) is set to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from June 20 to 21, 2025.
The summit is a key initiative and legacy project of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who currently chairs the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Conceived to inject renewed momentum into regional integration, the summit will bring together West African leaders to explore ways of harnessing the region’s vast economic potential. Key focus areas include boosting intra-regional trade and investment, eliminating barriers to economic cooperation, and forging unified strategies for sustainable development.
To emphasize the importance of full participation by all ECOWAS member states, President Tinubu has appointed Her Excellency, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, as his Special Envoy.
She is tasked with delivering personal invitations to all 15 West African Heads of State and Government, encouraging their active involvement in the summit.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu is accompanied on this diplomatic mission by Ambassador Olusola Enikanolaiye, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Innocent Iwejuo, Director, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The delegation commenced the mission on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
