-At West Africa Economic Summit
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I
Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has urged his counterparts at the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja, to focus on renewed commitment to regional economic integration, infrastructure development, and collective security, as Liberia prepares for a historic seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Speaking Saturday, June 21, 2025, before heads of state, economic policymakers, and private sector leaders at the Abuja International Conference Centre, President Boakai positioned Liberia as a rising regional player determined to take bold economic and diplomatic strides. He highlighted Liberia’s recent election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term as a clear vote of confidence in the country’s stability and regional role.
“This milestone is not just a national honor, but a reflection of our collective aspiration to contribute meaningfully to global peace, dialogue, and multilateralism.” He said Liberia’s seat at the Security Council would be used to advocate for West Africa’s interests in global peacebuilding and to serve as a “principled voice” for regional stability and cooperation, especially amid rising security threats and democratic backsliding within the region.
Boakai’s speech also struck a strongly economic tone, aligning with the summit’s central focus on regional development and integration. He reaffirmed Liberia’s full backing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing it as a “transformative platform” that could redefine the economic landscape of the continent.
Outlining key investment areas, he pointed to agriculture, ports and logistics, energy, and the digital economy as pillars of Liberia’s development strategy. According to Boakai, the government is investing heavily in roads and port modernization — especially at the Freeport of Monrovia — to improve trade competitiveness and ease cross-border commerce.
“Our budgetary priorities are increasingly focused on sustainable agriculture and rural transformation,” Boakai stated, noting that Liberia is also scaling up efforts to expand electricity access and position itself as a future hub for digital innovation.
He tied these priorities to Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development — a comprehensive economic and governance reform program aimed at strengthening public institutions and creating an attractive investment climate.
Beyond the economy, Boakai warned that peace and stability must remain the bedrock of any development effort. He reiterated Liberia’s commitment to democratic governance and regional solidarity through ECOWAS and the Mano River Union, and called for continued mediation with member states that have “taken a divergent path” — a thinly veiled reference to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which have distanced themselves from ECOWAS.
“We must keep the door open for engagement and reconciliation,” Boakai urged, emphasizing that Liberia stands ready to support ECOWAS peace and stabilization missions wherever needed.
In closing, Boakai challenged the region’s leaders to translate promises into action. “Let us seize this opportunity to deepen our collaboration, mobilize our collective resources, and transform the potential of our region into lasting progress for our people,” he said.
The 2025 West Africa Economic Summit comes at a crucial time as the region marks 50 years of ECOWAS while grappling with political instability, economic shocks, and the urgent need for integration in a rapidly shifting global order.
