By: Dawda .M. Jallow
President Adama Barrow on Wednesday welcomed Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Ojukwu, who delivered a special invitation from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to attend the upcoming West Africa Economic Summit in Abuja.
According to a statement from the State House of The Gambia, the summit, slated for 20th to 21st June 2025, aims to bring together West African leaders to discuss regional integration, intra-regional trade and investment, peace and security, and to tackle persistent challenges like poverty and unemployment.
President Barrow expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for sending the invitation through his envoy. He praised Nigeria’s leadership in the sub-region and commended the initiative to convene the first-ever West Africa Economic Summit.
Highlighting the importance of increasing trade among African countries, President Barrow noted that intra-African trade remains below 20 percent. “We must integrate through trade by addressing cross-border issues,” he said, adding that Africa should increasingly look inward to sustain economic growth, especially in light of shifting global economic policies.
The statement further underscored the strong ties between The Gambia and Nigeria, with President Barrow acknowledging Nigeria’s continued technical support, particularly in establishing the University of Science, Engineering and Technology (USET).
