By Merit Ibe
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) is set to unveil strategies for implementing the new National Industrial Policy (NIP), to develop, scale industries and transform the region’s economic future.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, made the disclosure yesterday during a press conference to unveil the agenda for the upcoming West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade (West Africa IMT) Summit & Exhibition 2025.
The summit themed: “Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity, organised by dmg Nigeria Events and will hold on October 21 to 23, 2025, at the Landmark Centre, Lagos.
According to the organiser, the summit will bring together key industry stakeholders in the West African region to engage in impactful dialogue and explore opportunities for public and private sector collaborations.
The minister noted that the national industrial policy provides a blueprint, forming Nigeria’s compass for industrial rebirth.
“Our commitment is simple, from raw materials to value-added products, and from dependency to competitiveness,adding that Nigeria’s industrialization is not about numbers, but about the jobs, the dignity, and hope for millions of our citizens.
“We are building an economy that manufactures, innovates, and exports, an economy that works for Nigeria,for the whole of West Africa and the world.”
On the opportunities the summit provides for the region, Enoh, said the West Africa IMT summit and exhibition is a platform to accelerate Africa’s march towards true industrialisation.
“For too long, our progress has been tied to the export of raw materials, but the time has come to unlock the full potential of our industries, scale our MSMEs, and harness our abundant manufacturing resources,” adding that industrial growth is not just an economic imperative; it is the foundation for job creation, skills development, and sustainable prosperity.
Enoh said that is why the Ministry is not only endorsing West Africa IMT, but fully committed to its success, because the “future of our nation and the region depends on how boldly we embrace industrialisation today.”
In her remarks, Wemimo Oyelana, Country Director, Nigeria & Portfolio Director, Energy for dmg Nigeria events, said the summit is a platform to unlock West Africa’s true industrial potential.
“We are at a defining moment as a region, where the decisions we make around industrialisation, manufacturing, and technology will shape our growth story for generations to come. A story that we must own and champion. Our goal is to create an open space where the industrial ecosystem can come together not just to exchange ideas but to build and implement practical solutions that strengthen industries, drive trade, and create opportunities for our people.
“This Summit is about accelerating an industrial revolution that is sustainable, inclusive, and capable of delivering real impact for communities across West Africa.”
The conference showcased West Africa IMT’s mission of advancing industrialisation, manufacturing, and technology innovation across the region, while also highlighting the need for stakeholders to maximise the opportunities created by the AFCFTA.
Other stakeholders also explored the critical themes and topics that will be discussed at the summit, including industrial policy, regional trade integration, infrastructure, access to finance, and the role of technology in driving manufacturing competitiveness.
The briefing underscored West Africa IMT’s commitment to driving innovation, strengthening partnerships, and accelerating sustainable industrial growth across the region.
The Summit will unite the industrialisation ecosystem, including energy, finance, infrastructure, manufacturing, raw materials, logistics and supply chain, technology, trade, and security, to accelerate a sustainable industrial revolution for West Africa.
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