President Bola Tinubu today delivered a fiery keynote address at the 2025 West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Accra, Ghana, lamenting the region’s staggeringly low intra-regional trade rate, which he revealed is still “under 10%.” Tinubu attributed the lag not to political reluctance, but to a chronic “coordination failure” that he says is suffocating the region’s economic potential.
Calling for a unified, urgent response, Tinubu warned that the global economic engine “will not wait for West Africa to get its act together,” urging leaders to “discard diplomatic niceties” and embrace bold, structural reforms. “This challenge we face is not theoretical. Our people are hungry. Our economies are shrinking. What excuse remains for this inertia?” he questioned.
Coordination Failure, Not Lack of Will, to Blame – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu pushed back against the prevailing narrative that West Africa’s trade woes stem from lack of political commitment. “The will is there,” he said. “But we are entangled in a web of disjointed policies, overlapping bureaucracies, and fragmented infrastructures.”
He stressed that until leaders harmonize customs protocols, trade routes, and investment regulations, the region would continue to export raw goods and import poverty. “We talk integration but operate like islands. It’s not just inefficient—it’s self-sabotage,” Tinubu added.
A Call to Action: ‘No More Regional Excuses’
In a direct rebuke to the ECOWAS leadership, Tinubu stated that regional bodies have become “ceremonial gatherings of inaction,” and challenged them to lead with accountability. “We do not need more declarations; we need implementation frameworks,” he thundered to applause and murmurs.
Tinubu proposed the establishment of a West African Trade Execution Board, backed by binding timelines and real penalties for non-compliance. “Our people deserve a future where goods move freely and borders empower, not restrict,” he insisted.
Nigeria’s Role Under Scrutiny: Tinubu Offers Roadmap
Acknowledging Nigeria’s pivotal role, Bola Tinubu accepted partial responsibility for the region’s stunted economic integration but unveiled a bold new roadmap. “Nigeria will lead from the front,” he promised, unveiling plans to fast-track rail connectivity to Niger, Benin, and Ghana, and harmonize port tariffs by Q1 2026.
However, critics have accused Nigeria of past protectionist policies and currency restrictions that stifled regional trade. Tinubu countered by announcing a phased liberalization of Nigeria’s import-export framework, signaling a new era of openness.
Private Sector Pleads for Urgency as Bola Tinubu Sets Tone
Reacting to Bola Tinubu’s address, several private sector leaders voiced cautious optimism but warned of “summit fatigue” unless real change follows. “We’ve heard these speeches before,” said Amadou Diallo, a Senegalese trade advocate. “What matters now is execution.”
Tinubu encouraged collaboration between government and business, declaring that “public-private partnerships will define the next decade.” He proposed a WAES Business Taskforce to cut red tape and attract intra-African investment capital.
Regional Tensions Emerge as Leaders React to Tinubu’s Rebuke
President Tinubu’s blunt criticism sparked immediate tension within the summit hall. Sources confirmed that representatives from Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso expressed reservations over Nigeria’s proposed leadership, citing previous unilateral trade decisions.
Despite this, Tinubu remained defiant. “Consensus is good. But if waiting for everyone means waiting forever, then Nigeria will move, and let others catch up,” he declared. The moment drew a standing ovation—and a visible frown from at least two heads of state.
Table of Contents
Discover more from OGM News NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
