President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on West African nations to convert their demographic strength and rich natural resources into tangible economic gains, stressing the urgency of industrialization, innovation, and coordinated regional strategy. Speaking at the West Africa Economic Summit in Abuja, the Nigerian leader outlined a bold vision for transforming the region from resource dependency to a hub of productivity
At the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit, held in Abuja on Saturday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a clarion call to fellow leaders in the region: harness the potential of West Africa’s youth and mineral wealth or risk falling further behind in the global economic race.
Addressing heads of state, policymakers, and private sector stakeholders, Tinubu framed the summit as a pivotal moment for regional transformation. He underscored the need for economic industrialization in West Africa, positioning it as both an opportunity and a necessity.
“Our youthful population is our most significant asset,” President Tinubu said. “But this promise can swiftly turn into a threat if we fail to invest in education, digital infrastructure, innovation, and enterprise.”
With over 60% of West Africa’s population under the age of 25, the region is one of the youngest in the world. However, this youth bulge also poses challenges related to unemployment, migration, and underutilization of talent. Tinubu highlighted that failing to act now would only worsen inequalities and erode public trust.
The President, who currently chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, advocated for deeper regional collaboration, warning that no single nation can achieve prosperity in isolation.
“Our economies are interlinked. Prosperity demands integrated energy grids, shared digital frameworks, and unified supply chains. If we don’t design them together, they will fall apart individually,” Tinubu cautioned.
He also expressed concern over the persistently low levels of intra-African trade—still under 10% across West Africa. For Tinubu, this statistic underscores the need to break down trade barriers and realign priorities to suit a modern, industrialising region.
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A Shift from Extraction to Production
Calling for a shift from raw material exports to value-added manufacturing, Tinubu emphasised the importance of leveraging West Africa’s rare earth and mineral resources to support green technologies, particularly as the world transitions into cleaner energy models.
“We were left behind during the last industrial revolutions. This time, we must lead. Being rich in resources means little if we lack the ability to process them and retain value within the continent.”
He added that the long-standing “pit to port” model—where raw materials are exported with minimal local benefit—must be replaced with a strategy that promotes economic industrialization in West Africa, spurs job creation, and deepens technological capacity.
While stressing government’s role in creating an enabling environment, Tinubu placed the primary responsibility for growth on the private sector. According to him, governments must focus on stability, security, and pro-market reforms, allowing businesses to innovate and expand.
“Transformation won’t come solely from government. It will come from the entrepreneurial spirit of our people. Our role is to provide law, order, and supportive policies,” he remarked.
Tinubu also called on summit participants to set clear goals and move beyond speeches to implementation. He challenged the group to commit to practical actions that will ease the cost of doing business, enhance infrastructure, and empower youth and women.
“Let’s not leave this summit with another set of promises. Let us emerge with measurable commitments: improved trade facilitation, stronger regional infrastructure, and innovative solutions that lift our people from poverty into prosperity,” he urged.
President Tinubu’s remarks come at a time when the economic industrialization of West Africa is seen as a critical step toward stabilizing a region challenged by political unrest, security threats, and economic volatility. With Nigeria—the region’s largest economy—grappling with inflation, high youth unemployment, and insecurity, the message resonated widely among domestic and international observers.
Economists have long warned that without urgent reforms, Africa risks missing out on the opportunities presented by the fourth industrial revolution, including automation, artificial intelligence, and clean energy. Many of the region’s mineral deposits—lithium, cobalt, and rare earths—are essential for global electric vehicle and battery production, yet they are often exported unprocessed.
Stakeholders Respond
Reacting to the President’s speech, business leaders and policy analysts praised the clarity of the message but stressed the need for consistent follow-through.
Dr. Grace Ayoola, a development economist, said Tinubu’s focus on youth and innovation was timely. “West Africa cannot industrialise without tapping into its demographic energy. Education reform, tech investment, and better governance are critical,” she told The Nation Digest News.
Similarly, Mr. Ousmane Toumani, an energy investor from Senegal, highlighted the importance of regional power integration. “Without a unified energy grid, we cannot power the industries of tomorrow. President Tinubu’s leadership on this is essential,” he noted.
As West Africa charts its future, President Tinubu’s keynote address delivered a powerful call to action—grounded in realism and fueled by ambition. By spotlighting the region’s demographic strength, mineral wealth, and the untapped dynamism of its people, the summit launched a new chapter in the drive for economic industrialization in West Africa.
The key challenge now is how swiftly leaders can turn these aspirations into concrete policies, strategic partnerships, and measurable progress that improve the daily lives of people across the sub region.
