As preparations gather pace for the West Africa Economic Summit set to hold in Abuja later this month, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, as his Special Envoy to personally deliver invitations to a select group of West African heads of state, including President Adama Barrow of The Gambia.
The summit, scheduled for June 20–21, 2025, will be hosted at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. It is expected to bring together leaders and regional players to discuss strengthening intra-African trade and investment.
According to Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian envoy met with President Barrow in Banjul on Wednesday, June 11, where she formally presented President Tinubu’s invitation.
Ebienfa described the Gambian reception as “very warm,” adding that President Barrow expressed appreciation to Nigeria for what he called a “timely and proactive initiative” at a time when the region is looking inward for economic solutions.
President Barrow noted the changing global dynamics, pointing out that the traditional donor-recipient model is no longer sustainable. “There is visible donor fatigue from Western partners,” he said, calling the summit a timely opportunity for West African nations to rethink collaboration and economic self-reliance.
Before arriving in The Gambia, the envoy had earlier stopped in Dakar, Senegal on Tuesday, June 10, where she delivered a similar invitation to the Senegalese leadership. She was received by a senior government official on behalf of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu and her team also visited Guinea Bissau, where President Umaro Sissoco Embaló personally received the Nigerian envoy and accepted the invitation to attend the summit.
The Abuja summit is shaping up to be a key meeting point for West African leaders and stakeholders from government, business, and civil society. The focus will be on building stronger regional ties, encouraging cross-border investments, and addressing challenges that hinder economic growth across the subregion.
For The Gambia, the summit presents an opportunity to push for greater inclusion in regional trade conversations and attract new investment, especially in key sectors like agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.
President Barrow is expected to join his counterparts in Abuja later this month as West Africa looks to strengthen its economic future through regional cooperation.
