West Africa Sets Manufacturing Agenda as IMT 2026 Summit Mobilizes Policy, Capital and Industry in Lagos
csrreporters 
West Africa is stepping up efforts to strengthen its manufacturing base as the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit and Exhibition (IMT 2026) opens in Lagos from March 3 to 5. The high level gathering comes at a critical moment for the region, as governments seek to convert rising trade volumes into sustainable industrial growth, job creation and long-term investment. Recent trade data underline the scale of the opportunity. Figures from the Nigeria Customs Service show that Nigeria’s exports to African markets rose by 14 per cent in value to N4.82 trillion, with more than 60 per cent destined for West African countries. In Ghana, early outcomes from the government’s 24-hour economy policy are already visible, particularly in pilot industrial zones such as the Tema light-manufacturing belt, where extended operating hours have boosted output and night-shift employment.
Organisers of IMT 2026 say these trends reflect a broader regional shift towards industrialisation, while also exposing structural gaps that must be addressed to sustain momentum.
Endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and organised by dmg Nigeria Events, the summit is designed to move beyond policy dialogue and focus on execution-driven solutions that deliver measurable manufacturing growth.
Discussions at the summit will focus on expanding industrial capacity, improving trade facilitation, strengthening infrastructure, and unlocking long term financing for value-added production. According to Wemimo Oyelana, Portfolio Director for Africa at dmg Events, the objective is clear: aligning government policy, private-sector capability and investment capital to build resilient value chains and deliver tangible economic impact across West Africa.
Despite encouraging trade performance, manufacturers in the region continue to face persistent challenges, including infrastructure deficits, logistics inefficiencies, evolving tariff regimes and intense global competition for industrial investment. IMT 2026 aims to confront these issues directly by convening policymakers, industry leaders and investors around project-ready opportunities and practical frameworks for implementation.
As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) deepens regional integration, the summit represents a key test of West Africa’s ability to transform trade liberalisation into industrial development. Beyond positioning the region as a growing trade corridor, IMT 2026 underscores West Africa’s ambition to emerge as a competitive manufacturing hub capable of creating jobs, attracting capital and supporting inclusive, long-term economic growth.