The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG), the export-focused arm of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has unveiled a strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s export competitiveness, accelerating manufacturing growth and positioning locally produced goods for greater access to African and global markets.

Chairman of MANEG, Mrs. Ruth Owojaiye, told journalists in Lagos that the 2026/2027 strategic priorities focus on four pillars namely strengthening strategic engagements, enhanced awareness and utilisation of export incentives, access to export finance, and export capacity development.

According to Owojaiye, who also serves as Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), Nigeria possesses the resources, industrial capacity and entrepreneurial strength required to emerge as a leading manufacturing hub in Africa, said but achieving this ambition required a deliberate and continuous shift towards export readiness and competitiveness.

She said: “Nigeria’s manufacturing future must be defined by competitiveness, innovation and global relevance.

“To achieve this, Nigerian manufacturers must have access to the right policies, incentives, financing, knowledge and partnerships needed to compete successfully beyond our borders.”

She assured that MANEG would continue to deepen collaboration with key government institutions, financial organisations and regional trade bodies to strengthen Nigeria’s export ecosystem.

The group also identified improved awareness and utilisation of all export-related incentives as a key priority, noting that many local manufacturers, especially the small and medium sized businesses, were yet to fully leverage available government-backed incentives due to limited awareness of eligibility requirements and application processes.

“An incentive can only create economic value when businesses understand how to access and deploy it effectively. Our objective is to bridge the gap between policy availability and practical business utilisation,” Mrs. Owojaiye added.

She also mentioned access to finance as a critical factor limiting export growth, stressing the need for stronger connections between manufacturers and export finance providers.

She noted that export expansion required significant investment in technology upgrades, production capacity, international certifications, packaging improvements, logistics and market development.

She further stated that MANEG would prioritise capacity development programmes aimed at equipping manufacturers with the knowledge and skills required to meet international standards, navigate export requirements, improve quality systems and respond to evolving global trade expectations.

Owojaiye noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presented a significant opportunity for Nigerian manufacturers to expand into a continental market of more than one billion people.

However, she maintained that businesses must improve competitiveness, meet international quality standards, and develop products capable of succeeding in increasingly competitive markets.