West Africa is at a strategic inflection point as the region transitions from commodity-led growth toward more diversified investment models. With GDP growth of 4.5% forecast for 2025, the discussion examined how this momentum can be carried into 2026 and beyond.

The 2026 West Africa Regional Outlook Webinar explored how value creation can be scaled across key sectors including agriculture, manufacturing and energy. Speakers discussed the implications of new oil and gas producers such as Senegal and Niger coming online, and how upstream and midstream development is reshaping regional supply chains.

The conversation also focused on agribusiness and local processing, highlighting the importance of infrastructure, capital and regulatory reform in moving from raw output to higher-value production. Trade integration and logistics were examined through the ECOWAS framework, with emphasis on unlocking regional corridors across ports, rail and digital infrastructure.

Finally, panellists addressed currency risk and financing challenges, sharing perspectives on innovative financing structures, de-risking mechanisms and PPP models tailored to West African markets. Throughout the session, experts evaluated how the region’s demographic and resource advantages can be converted into resilient growth and sustainable investment returns.

Moderator:
Bola Tinubu, Country Managing Partner, DLA Piper Africa, Nigeria

Speakers:
Oludamilare Adesola, Associate Director, Control Risks
Razia Khan, Chief Economist & Head of Research, Africa & Middle East, Standard Chartered