In a stirring address at the 2025 West Africa Economic Summit held in Accra, Ghana, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a clarion call to regional leaders, urging them to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive steps towards fostering genuine economic integration across the subcontinent. Speaking before a gathering of heads of state, business leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Nigerian President stressed the urgent need to dismantle trade barriers, improve infrastructure, and implement forward-thinking policies that support innovation and global competitiveness.
President Tinubu, who has consistently advocated for pan-African economic cooperation since assuming office, told delegates, “Let us emerge from this summit with actionable outcomes, not just promises.” He emphasized that the time for ceremonial declarations was long past, and that practical steps must now be taken to unlock the vast economic potential of the region, which is home to over 400 million people.
The Nigerian leader lamented the low level of intra-African trade, which currently hovers around 15% of total continental commerce, despite the existence of platforms like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He noted that red tape, inconsistent regulations, poor transport networks, and weak coordination between member states continue to hamper trade, stifle productivity, and discourage investment.
Citing Nigeria’s recent strides in digital infrastructure, energy diversification, and transport development, Tinubu urged fellow leaders to prioritize cross-border projects that can catalyze growth. “A modern West Africa must be connected by railways, broadband, and power grids that stretch from Lagos to Bamako, from Accra to Niamey. We must build the arteries of trade and development,” he stated firmly.
He also challenged regional governments to create enabling environments that support homegrown innovation, particularly among the youth, pointing to Nigeria’s burgeoning tech ecosystem as an example of what can be achieved when innovation is matched with investment and policy support.
President Tinubu’s remarks come at a time when West African economies are grappling with high inflation, security challenges, and the lingering impacts of global supply chain disruptions. Yet, he struck a hopeful tone, insisting that unity, political will, and strategic planning could reposition the region as a competitive force in the global economy.
As the summit concluded, many observers described Tinubu’s speech as one of the most forceful and pragmatic delivered at a regional forum in recent times. Whether the words translate into tangible action, however, remains to be seen. For now, the onus is on West African leaders to heed the call and deliver not just vision, but results.
