By Joy Odor
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), in collaboration with the Abuja and Lagos Global Shapers Hubs, has hosted the West Africa Youth Futures Roundtable on June 13, 2025.
According to a press statement by Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the event brought together over 100 young leaders and innovators from across West Africa to discuss how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can drive regional integration, innovation, and inclusive economic development.
The roundtable focused on three key areas:
– Access to capital and scale for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
– Cross-border trade and digital platforms
– Innovation ecosystems for youth employment
Participants explored policy-shaping questions, including financing innovations for youth-led MSMEs, reducing trade friction through digital platforms, and models for innovation ecosystems that support youth employment and entrepreneurship.
The event featured expert contributions from West African thought leaders and practitioners, and goodwill messages from the Ministry emphasized the importance of youth participation in shaping the region’s economic future.
The roundtable concluded with a call for stronger public-private collaboration, policy harmonization, and an inclusive approach to AfCFTA.
The event was a strategic prelude to the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES 2025) and affirmed the role of young West Africans as essential contributors to regional economic strategy.
Participants were invited to co-develop youth-led trade policy recommendations for submission to WAES leaders.
