The Federal Government of Nigeria has thrown its weight behind the upcoming West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade (IMT) Summit and Exhibition, scheduled for October 2025 in Lagos. This endorsement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering regional industrial growth, bolstering manufacturing capabilities, and promoting economic collaboration within West Africa. Aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s “Nigeria First” policy, which prioritizes locally manufactured goods in government procurement, the summit reflects Nigeria’s ambitious industrial agenda. This initiative aligns with a broader trend across West Africa, with nations like Ghana and Senegal implementing similar policies to encourage local production and stimulate industrial development. The summit, organized by dmg Nigeria events, promises to be a pivotal gathering of policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and development institutions, all focused on accelerating West Africa’s industrial revolution and driving economic prosperity.
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, through its Minister of State, Sen. John Enoh, expressed the government’s full support for the summit, recognizing its potential to advance Nigeria’s industrial aspirations. This endorsement signifies not only a commitment to collaborative efforts with dmg Nigeria events in organizing the summit but also an acknowledgement of the organization’s dedication to promoting industrial, manufacturing, and trade development across the West African region. According to Sen. Enoh, the summit aligns perfectly with the Ministry’s mandate to enhance manufacturing capabilities and expand trade opportunities throughout the continent. Furthermore, the event will facilitate the translation of industrial policy into tangible action, fostering an environment conducive to industrial growth and economic progress. The Ministry anticipates a highly productive partnership that will deliver a summit of significant impact, fostering regional development and economic integration.
The “Nigeria First” policy, a cornerstone of President Tinubu’s administration, underscores the government’s commitment to prioritizing locally manufactured products in public procurement. This policy echoes similar initiatives emerging across West Africa, such as Ghana’s mandate for the use of locally manufactured goods in public procurement and Senegal’s production-focused strategies, backed by subsidies and a reliable power supply, to bolster industries like textiles and food processing. These concerted efforts reflect a growing regional focus on strengthening domestic industries, reducing reliance on imports, and boosting intra-African trade. The West Africa IMT Summit serves as a platform to showcase these national policies, foster regional collaboration, and attract investment into the region’s manufacturing sector.
The West Africa IMT 2025 Summit, themed “Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity,” is poised to bring together key stakeholders from across the region and beyond. From October 21st to 23rd, 2025, Lagos will become a hub for regional policymakers, industrial leaders, investors, development institutions, and trade facilitators to engage in discussions and collaborations aimed at transforming West Africa’s industrial landscape. The event is expected to be a catalyst for impactful partnerships, paving the way for sustainable industrial development and regional prosperity.
Wemimo Oyelana, Country Director, Nigeria, and Portfolio Director, Energy for dmg Nigeria events, lauded the government’s endorsement as a significant boost for industrial development in the region. This endorsement, Oyelana emphasized, signifies the beginning of a transformative journey toward genuine economic development and growth. It reinforces the shared commitment of all stakeholders to accelerate industrial development, strengthen local manufacturing, increase regional and international trade, and attract investment into the West African region. The summit, therefore, represents a vital step towards realizing the region’s industrial potential and achieving sustained economic growth.
The West Africa IMT 2025 Summit is designed to translate industrial policy into concrete action. It will host a series of activities designed to drive industrial development and promote regional trade, including policy briefings, cross-border investment showcases, and technical sessions focusing on critical areas such as infrastructure development, regulatory harmonisation, and capacity building. These sessions will provide a platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and the exploration of innovative solutions to address the challenges and opportunities facing the region’s industrial sector. The summit aims to foster an environment conducive to investment, innovation, and sustainable industrial growth, ultimately contributing to the economic prosperity of West Africa.
