Political Stability, Regional Collaboration Essential for West Africa’s Prosperity – Embalo

President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, has emphasized that political stability and regional collaboration are crucial to unlocking the full potential of West Africa. He made this assertion on Saturday during the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) held in Abuja, Nigeria.

Represented by Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Integration, Soares Sambu, President Embalo noted that while the region is abundant in opportunities and resources, meaningful development cannot occur without a stable and united environment.

“Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, economic integration, investment promotion, and innovation cannot thrive in isolation. They demand stable leadership, a shared vision, good governance, and, most importantly, collaboration and a sense of ownership among all stakeholders,” he said.

He stressed the importance of inclusive development, urging governments to work hand in hand with the private sector in delivering infrastructure, building digital platforms, and improving service delivery. He also highlighted the need to involve civil society, youth, the diaspora, and international partners while aligning donor efforts with national and regional priorities to avoid redundancy.

“West Africa is not just rich in natural resources—it is rich in human capital. Through political stability, peace, regional integration, strategic investment, and innovation, we can create a prosperous and resilient West Africa ready to confront both current and future challenges,” Embalo concluded.

The summit brought together key stakeholders from across the region, including the presidents of Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, The Gambia, Benin Republic, Togo, and Guinea-Bissau. Also in attendance were ministers of finance, trade, infrastructure, and foreign affairs from ECOWAS Member States, as well as representatives from regional economic institutions such as the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA), the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI), the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.