The Federal Government is working hard on plans to put the new National Industrial Policy into action. This policy aims to boost industries and change the economic situation in West Africa. It will be a major topic at the upcoming West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit & Exhibition 2025, which is scheduled for October 2025 in Lagos.

At a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, shared that Nigeria plans to create its industrial policy based on earlier executive orders that focused on promoting local content. They are also looking to take a stronger approach with the new Nigeria First policy.

Enoh spoke about how past governments tried to boost industrial growth by implementing various executive orders. For example, Executive Orders Three and Five aimed to promote public procurement and support products made in Nigeria. He highlighted that the effectiveness of the Nigeria First policy will largely rely on what the current government does moving forward.

Enoh shared that the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment is planning to start a nationwide campaign to encourage people to buy Nigerian goods and services.

He expressed, “We truly want to embrace a national campaign in the coming months that encourages the purchase of products and services made right here in Nigeria. This initiative aligns with the Nigeria First policy introduced by the president. We genuinely believe that with a well-executed campaign, we can make a significant impact, potentially adding an extra N3 trillion to our economy in a relatively short period. Most importantly, we hope to foster a positive shift in how Nigerians perceive and value local products.”

The minister pointed out that government reforms, like bringing exchange rates together, are starting to make the economy more stable, even though there are still challenges. He mentioned that foreign investments in Nigeria are not at the level we need, but being consistent and stable will lead to big benefits for the economy.

Enoh expressed his hope at the event, saying, “The West Africa Industrialisation and Manufacturing Trade event is more than just a meeting. It is a chance to help Africa move forward in industrialisation. For too long, we have only been exporting raw materials, but now it is time to unlock the full potential of our industries, support our small and medium-sized businesses, and make use of our manufacturing resources.”

The organizers of the Summit, dmg Nigeria Events, said that the event will bring together industry leaders, government officials, and investors to deliberate on key discussion.

Wemimo Oyelana, the Country Director for Nigeria and the Energy Portfolio Director at dmg Nigeria Events, shared exciting news about an upcoming event called the West Africa IMT Summit. This Summit is designed to be an important gathering where practical solutions can be discussed to help grow industries, boost trade, and create job opportunities for people across West Africa.

She said that the Summit is not just another industry meeting; it’s a vital platform for unlocking West Africa’s industrial potential. She noted, “We are at a crucial moment in our region’s history. The choices we make regarding industrial growth, manufacturing, and technology will greatly impact our future for many years to come.”

the 2025 edition of West Africa IMT, themed ‘Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity’ will take place at the Landmark Centre, Lagos. It aims to bring together important figures from various sectors, including energy, finance, infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics, technology, trade, and security, all focused on fostering sustainable industrial growth.