The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has announced that its 2026 Employers’ Summit will undertake a critical review of the impact of ongoing economic reforms on businesses, employment, investment, and national competitiveness.

The Summit, scheduled for June 29–30, 2026 in Abuja, will convene policymakers, business leaders, development partners, and key industry stakeholders to assess progress, identify emerging challenges, and chart a sustainable path for Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Speaking ahead of the event, NECA Director-General, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, acknowledged the significance of recent reforms in addressing longstanding structural imbalances in the economy, while emphasizing the need for a clear assessment of their real-sector outcomes.

Oyerinde noted that businesses across sectors continue to grapple with persistent headwinds, including high energy costs, exchange rate volatility, inflationary pressures.

Infrastructure deficits, regulatory complexity, and weak consumer demand. He added that although some macroeconomic indicators show signs of improvement, many enterprises particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) remain under significant strain.

The summit will, therefore, examine critical policy areas such as the effectiveness of economic reforms, industrial policy implementation, ease of doing business initiatives, tax administration reforms, sustainability reporting requirements, and broader strategies to improve the operating environment for enterprises.

He said the event would go beyond dialogue to generate actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening policy implementation and improving economic outcomes for both businesses and citizens.

A major highlight of the 2026 Summit will be the launch of the Guide is designed to support MSMEs in integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into their operations in response to growing expectations from investors, regulators, financial institutions, and global markets.