Global Investors and West African Ministers Converge to Shape Industrial Future at Landmark Lagos Summit
The West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade (IMT) Summit & Exhibition is poised to become a pivotal gathering for investors, policymakers, and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond. Scheduled for March 3–5, 2026, at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, this event arrives at a crucial juncture as nations implement fresh industrial policies and advance the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
A Critical Moment for West African Industrialization
The summit emerges as West African governments transition from economic reforms to a focused drive on tangible industrial growth, manufacturing expansion, and job creation. With the theme "Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity," the 2026 edition aims to convert trade opportunities into concrete factory investments, resilient supply chains, and measurable industrial progress within the next 12 to 18 months.
Recent policy developments have intensified the need for actionable outcomes. In Nigeria, the Federal Government launched a new National Industrial Policy in January 2026 to bolster local manufacturing, promote value addition, and enhance competitiveness. Concurrently, the AfCFTA has progressed from negotiation to implementation, with heightened emphasis on digital trade, industrial development, and practical results, shifting dialogues from mere policy promises to verifiable achievements.
High-Profile Participation and Focus on Practical Solutions
Confirmed speakers include Senator John Enoh, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, alongside industry ministers from Benin, Senegal, and Ghana. The event will also attract participants from Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, and numerous non-African countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Austria, China, India, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Canada. This diverse attendance underscores the growing global interest in West Africa as an emerging industrial and manufacturing hub.
Despite the momentum of AfCFTA implementation, persistent challenges like unreliable energy supply, transport and logistics inefficiencies, and limited access to medium-term industrial financing remain significant hurdles. To address these issues, the summit's program will feature:
- Ministerial panels and country investment spotlights
- Investor roundtables and technical workshops
- Discussions on regulatory improvements and risk reduction for investors
- Strategies for better financing structures for manufacturers and industrial parks
Key Discussion Areas and Expected Outcomes
Central topics will include aligning national industrial policies with AfCFTA trade rules, ensuring stable energy and gas supply for factories, mobilizing blended finance for medium-scale industries, and reducing cross-border trade costs through practical regulatory changes. Organizers emphasize that the summit is designed to transcend speeches and high-level talks by directly linking ministerial discussions with investor sessions and technical workshops. This approach aims to transform policy direction into real projects, funding pipelines, and clear next steps for both governments and businesses, fostering a collaborative environment for sustainable industrial advancement in the region.
