Nigeria is set to take the lead in shaping the future of West Africa’s industrialisation as the Federal Government, in collaboration with private stakeholders, prepares to unveil a bold industrial policy agenda at the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit & Exhibition (W’Africa IMT 2025), scheduled to hold in Lagos this October.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Uwan-Enoh, said the government was committed to scaling industries, boosting local content, and driving inclusive economic growth through the implementation of the new National Industrial Policy.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Enoh explained that the policy would build on earlier executive orders issued by past administrations, such as Executive Orders Three and Five, which prioritised local procurement and Nigerian-made goods.
However, he emphasised that the current administration’s Nigeria First Policy would go further by fostering a stronger culture of patronising local products.
“The hope is that in the next few months, we’re going to start a national campaign on buying made-in-Nigeria goods and services.
We have found that the country could earn about ₦3tn more in the short term if this campaign is successful and can change consumption attitudes,” the minister said.
The minister noted that Nigeria continues to grapple with structural challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, foreign exchange volatility, and overdependence on raw material exports.
However, he said the government’s ongoing reforms — particularly exchange rate harmonisation and fiscal stability measures — were beginning to restore confidence in the economy.
“Foreign direct investments are still below expectations, but with stability, consistency, and the right incentives, Nigeria can attract the scale of funding needed to drive industrial transformation,” Enoh added.
Enoh described the upcoming summit as more than just an industry gathering, stressing that it would serve as a platform to accelerate West Africa’s shift from being a raw material exporter to becoming a hub for value-added manufacturing and innovation.
“For too long, our region’s growth has been tied to the export of raw materials.
The time has come to unlock the full potential of our industries, scale up MSMEs, and harness our abundant resources for regional prosperity,” he said.
The organisers, dmg Nigeria Events, confirmed that the summit would attract industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and development partners from across the region.
Key themes to be addressed include regional trade integration, access to finance, technology adoption, infrastructure, and industrial sustainability.
Country Director for dmg Nigeria Events, Wemimo Oyelana, said the summit was a defining moment for the region.
“The West Africa IMT Summit is more than an industry event; it is a platform to unlock West Africa’s true industrial potential.
The decisions we make now around industrialisation, trade, and technology will shape our growth story for generations,” she said.
The 2025 edition, themed “Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity,” will be held at the Landmark Centre, Lagos, bringing together stakeholders across energy, finance, logistics, manufacturing, and security to develop actionable strategies for sustainable growth.
Experts say Nigeria’s renewed industrial push is crucial at a time when the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is gaining momentum.
With its population and market size, Nigeria is expected to drive the regional agenda, but this will require a robust industrial policy that encourages local manufacturing, technology-driven industries, and export competitiveness.
Economists also believe that if fully implemented, the Nigeria First Policy could reduce the nation’s dependence on imports, create jobs, and stabilise the Naira by boosting domestic production.
As the countdown to the October summit begins, stakeholders across the continent are watching closely to see how Nigeria and its partners will lay the foundation for a sustainable industrial revolution in West Africa.