Shettima Returns to Nigeria After Successful Engagements at WEF 2025 in Switzerland

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria following his participation in the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland.

A statement from his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, outlined that the Vice President, who represented Nigeria at the prestigious global economic summit, showcased the nation’s investment opportunities, advocated for African economic integration, and held several strategic meetings with world leaders and international organizations.

During his time in Davos, Vice President Shettima took part in various forums, including one titled “Roadmap to Co-create Investment Opportunities for Africa’s Frontier Markets,” organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and WEF. At this forum, Shettima reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to attract investment for sustainable growth, stressing the importance of driving capital into Africa’s emerging markets.

In another session, Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and underscored the nation’s determination to harness digital trade as a tool for economic transformation. He projected Africa’s potential to build a $29 trillion economy by 2050, emphasizing the continent’s vast economic prospects.

During his time in Davos, Shettima held bilateral meetings with global leaders, including Botswana’s President Duma Boko and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, where they discussed strengthening intra-African relations and fostering partnerships to enhance trade and development.

Shettima also engaged with key global figures, including the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the President of the World Economic Forum, Børge Brende. They discussed collaborative efforts to tackle Africa’s pressing challenges, such as energy security, food crises, and environmental threats.

In his remarks about Nigeria’s reform agenda under President Bola Tinubu, Shettima highlighted key ongoing reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, alignment of the exchange rate, and tax reforms, noting that these measures were steering Nigeria toward sustained economic growth.

Another highlight of his participation was his role as a panelist in the “Financial Times Global Risks 2025” dialogue, where he emphasized the need for multilateral cooperation to address global challenges. Additionally, he advocated for innovation in education and agriculture as vital to empowering Nigeria’s youth and driving economic development.

Shettima was accompanied by senior government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi.