Raphael Oni
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has emphasized the importance of practical solutions in driving West Africa’s economic integration. Speaking at a Private Sector Roundtable ahead of the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES 2025), Tuggar urged business leaders to engage in frank discussions on trade barriers, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory challenges hindering growth in the sub-region.
“WAES is not just about policy, it’s about practical solutions,” Tuggar said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to collaborating with the private sector. The Minister encouraged the top business leaders to share their expertise and experiences in shaping the agenda for WAES 2025, scheduled for June 20-21 in Abuja.
With his extensive background in diplomacy and politics, Tuggar’s call for private sector involvement underscores the government’s recognition of the crucial role businesses play in regional economic development. Before becoming Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tuggar served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany and represented Gamawa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The WAES 2025 summit aims to promote economic integration, trade, and investment in West Africa. Tuggar’s emphasis on practical solutions highlights the need for actionable strategies to overcome the region’s economic challenges. working together, the government and private sector can unlock West Africa’s vast economic potential and foster sustainable growth and development.
