The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) is set to convene an industrialisation and competitiveness forum to examine strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, improving productivity and enhancing the country’s economic competitiveness.

The virtual forum, scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, will bring together policymakers, business leaders, economists and other stakeholders to deliberate on industrial policy, investment, productivity and measures required to accelerate industrial development.

According to the NESG, discussions will focus on some of the key challenges constraining industrial growth in Nigeria, while exploring policy and private-sector interventions capable of improving the operating environment for businesses, attracting investment and supporting sustainable economic growth.

The forum will form part of activities around the sixth annual MSME & Startup Economic Summit 2026, scheduled to hold on Thursday, August 20, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The summit is themed, “Digitising MSMEs for Unlocking Nigeria’s Non-oil Revenue and Economic Growth.”

It is expected to attract industry leaders, policymakers, investors, innovators and entrepreneurs who will examine the role of digital technology in strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and expanding their contribution to the Nigerian economy.

Stakeholders will also discuss ways to support youth-led innovation, advance structural reforms, improve access to opportunities for MSMEs and create new sources of government revenue outside the oil sector.

The organisers said the discussions are expected to provide practical perspectives on how digitalisation and policy reforms can improve the productivity and competitiveness of Nigerian businesses while supporting broader economic growth.