Nigeria will host the first-ever West Africa Economic Summit in 2025, as part of efforts to strengthen regional integration and economic development.
President Bola Tinubu has extended formal invitations to leaders across the sub-region, including Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé.
The invitation was delivered in person by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy, Bianca Ojukwu, who led a diplomatic delegation to Lomé and was received at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday.
“The meeting was convened to formally deliver President Tinubu’s invitation to His Excellency, President Faure Gnassingbé, for the historic economic summit,” said Ojukwu. She added that the event would serve as “a unifying platform for regional transformation.”
During the bilateral engagement, both nations reaffirmed their longstanding diplomatic relations and emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation among West African states.
President Gnassingbé welcomed the initiative, calling it “timely and necessary,” and lauded President Tinubu for his leadership in fostering regional collaboration.
“We are committed to participating in this summit and to intensifying cooperation among West African countries,” Gnassingbé said. He highlighted key areas of focus for the summit, including trade, economic partnerships, youth empowerment, security cooperation, and sustainable development “anchored in peace and social dialogue.”
The summit, scheduled to take place in Abuja, is expected to convene policymakers, business leaders, and development experts to develop a roadmap for inclusive growth and deeper integration across West Africa.
