Tinubu Urges West African Leaders To End ‘Pit-To-Port’ Dependency At WAES 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on West African nations to end the long-standing economic model of exporting raw materials without local value addition, describing the practice as a “pit-to-port” dependency that limits the region’s growth. He made the call on Saturday while addressing leaders at the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja.
Tinubu, who currently serves as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, said the time had come for the region to prioritize industrialization, regional value chains, and economic transformation that benefits the population. According to him, the extractive model that transports resources directly from mine sites to shipping terminals without processing them must be abandoned. “The era of pit to port must end,” Tinubu declared. “We must mine it, process it, and manufacture it within our borders. West Africa must develop regional value chains and industrialize our economies.”
The President urged West African governments to ensure that the summit leads to concrete outcomes that address poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment. He emphasized the need for simplified trade procedures, improved regional infrastructure, and better opportunities for women and youth. “Let this summit not end in fine speeches. Let it produce outcomes that will create jobs, build factories, support youth entrepreneurship, and strengthen our economies,” Tinubu said.
He also highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for private sector participation by adopting sound economic policies, promoting ease of doing business, and investing in critical infrastructure, including transportation, power, and digital systems.
President Tinubu identified the region’s large youthful population as a potential economic asset, stressing the need for investment in education, technology, and digital innovation to prevent social unrest and economic stagnation. “Our young population must be our strength, not a source of instability. That is why we must invest in digital education, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” he added.
The summit was attended by leaders and representatives from Ghana, Senegal, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Benin Republic, Togo, and Guinea-Bissau Also present were regional economic bodies including the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), West African Monetary Institute (WAMI), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
WAES 2025 was held ahead of the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government scheduled for June 23 in Abuja. The summit focused on strategies to deepen regional economic integration, enhance industrialization, and reduce overdependence on commodity exports.
