The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in collaboration with dmg Nigeria Events, has set the stage for industry leaders, policymakers, stakeholders and investors to examine how regional policy shifts are creating new industrial opportunities and cross-border supply chain integration.
Scheduled to hold from March 3 to 5, in Lagos, themed ‘Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity’, the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade (West Africa IMT) Summit and Exhibition will provide a platform for broader stakeholder engagement within a rapidly evolving regional landscape.
The organisers said government, investors and business leaders across West Africa are shifting from purely extractive economic models toward industrialisation anchored in technology, regional integration and sustainable value creation.
According to a statement announcing the event, a new industrial landscape is emerging, driven by established manufacturing and processing sectors alongside advancements in innovation, digitisation, and next-generation industries across the subregion.
The organisers noted that economies within West Africa are pursuing ambitious industrial upgrade programmes, citing Nigeria’s incoming National Industrial Policy (NIP), which prioritises technology adoption, equipment financing and digitised manufacturing as key drivers of economic transformation.
Speaking on the region’s progress and the significance of the summit, Portfolio Director, Africa and Country Director, Nigeria, at dmg events, Wemimo Oyelana, said the next chapter of West Africa’s industrial growth will be shaped by innovation in areas such as advanced manufacturing, gas-based production, technology adoption and stronger policy alignment.
According to him, the WA-IMT Summit is designed to serve as the central platform for shaping the region’s industrial transformation, setting strategic priorities and defining the industry agenda.
“We are convening industry leaders, policymakers, innovators and investors to turn ideas, reforms, and emerging technologies into real industrial outcomes across the region,” he said.
Oyelana added that participants at the 2026 summit will gain first-hand insights into the region’s fast-evolving industrial landscape and the opportunities driving sustainable growth.
He stated that through high-level discussions, technical sessions and strategic networking, delegates will explore emerging investment frontiers, policy frameworks and cross-border collaboration models that can accelerate manufacturing competitiveness across the region.
