Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has appealed to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FMFA) and financial institutions to create an enabling environment for local industries in the South-East to thrive and compete favourably within the ECOWAS sub-region.
Mbah, who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, made the appeal in Enugu during a one-day workshop on the Modalities for Participation in the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), organised by the Ministry’s ECOWAS National Unit in collaboration with the Enugu State Government.
The workshop, themed “Increasing Intra-Regional Trade Through ETLS,” brought together stakeholders from across the region.
The governor lamented that many small-scale industries in Nigeria were struggling to grow due to lack of access to financial assistance, noting that financial institutions such as the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Bank of Industry (BoI), and Bank of Agriculture (BoA) often demand high-value collateral before granting loans.
“For trade liberalisation to succeed, bottlenecks that impede trade expansion—such as high interest rates and stringent collateral requirements—must be removed,” Mbah said.
He recalled that in the past, industries and local production thrived in Nigeria, citing the examples of Peugeot in Kaduna, shoe manufacturing in Aba, and the operations of ANAMMCO and other firms, lamenting that most of these enterprises have since declined.
Appreciating the organisers for hosting the workshop in Enugu, Mbah noted that local manufacturers cannot compete effectively within the ECOWAS sub-region unless they enjoy stable power supply and easier access to credit facilities.
He decried a situation where local entrepreneurs must obtain approval from Abuja before regional financial institutions can provide them with assistance.
“I want to thank the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs for deeming it necessary to embark on this workshop and for choosing Enugu for this sensitisation. We are traders by nature, and when you talk about SMEs in Nigeria and the sub-region, the South-East stands out,” he said.
“The ETLS presents an opportunity to expand regional trade. However, we must establish frameworks to protect and support our local industries. Banks should be compelled to assist businesses in the South-East so that we can compete with other ECOWAS countries.”
Declaring the workshop open, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the programme as timely and critical to achieving regional integration through trade.
According to her, the initiative seeks to deepen regional cooperation, expand cross-border trade, and empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to take their rightful place in the West African market.
“SMEs remain the engine room of our economy. They generate employment, stimulate innovation, and drive inclusive prosperity. Strengthening them is not just a local concern but a regional imperative,” Ojukwu stated.
She described the ETLS as a “strategic pillar of West Africa’s integration agenda,” noting that it complements the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
“For Nigeria, as the largest economy in the region, leadership in this process is not optional—it is expected. But the true measure of success lies in how effectively our local entrepreneurs and manufacturers are enabled to compete and thrive regionally,” she added.
“This workshop is about democratising opportunity—equipping SMEs with the knowledge and networks to transcend local boundaries and embrace the wider West African market.”
She further stressed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working with ECOWAS and relevant national agencies, would continue to prioritise economic diplomacy and trade facilitation, as “the prosperity of our people remains the ultimate measure of foreign policy.”
In his remarks, President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr. Odega Jideonwo, commended the organisers, describing the workshop as a step in the right direction.
“There are many goods produced in the South-East that rarely reach other African markets. We hope this initiative will change that and open new opportunities for our local manufacturers,” he said.
