FG wants SMEs to harness ECOWAS trade deals for regional growth

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has called on Nigerian entrepreneurs and small business operators to take full advantage of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) to expand their reach across West Africa and strengthen regional economic integration.

She made the call in Enugu on Tuesday while declaring open a Sensitisation Workshop on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) at the International Conference Centre.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with ECOWAS, brought together policymakers, business leaders, and trade experts to explore ways to enhance the participation of Nigerian SMEs in regional trade.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the workshop as “a timely initiative that speaks directly to the urgent task of deepening regional integration, expanding cross-border trade, and empowering our SMEs to take their rightful place in the West African market.”

She commended Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, and his administration for hosting the event and for their “forward-looking commitment to innovation, enterprise, and inclusive growth,” which, she said, aligns with the spirit of the ECOWAS integration agenda.

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According to the Minister, the choice of Enugu for the workshop was deliberate, as the state has become “a beacon of economic transformation in the South-East.”

She emphasised that small and medium enterprises remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, serving as key drivers of employment, innovation, and shared prosperity.

“Strengthening our SMEs is not merely a local concern but a regional imperative. Enugu today stands as a model for how local dynamism can align with continental ambitions”, she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the ETLS as one of the oldest and most strategic pillars of West Africa’s economic integration, facilitating the free movement of goods and services within the subregion.

She added that the scheme complements the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and supports the broader framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“ETLS is not just a technical instrument, it is a gateway and a test case for Africa’s economic renaissance,” she noted.

The Minister underscored Nigeria’s pivotal role in driving regional trade, noting that while leadership from Abuja and Lagos is essential, true success will depend on how well local entrepreneurs, traders, and manufacturers across the country can access and benefit from the regional market.

“This workshop is about democratizing opportunity, equipping our SMEs with the knowledge, skills, and networks to transcend local boundaries and embrace the wider West African market,” she said.

She urged participants to fully engage in discussions, share their experiences, and leverage the platform to form business partnerships that can boost competitiveness beyond Nigeria’s borders.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to economic diplomacy and trade facilitation, emphasising that the ultimate goal of Nigeria’s foreign policy is the prosperity of its people.

“Regional integration is not an abstract idea, it is about people, jobs, markets, and opportunities. It is about transforming promises into tangible benefits for every Nigerian entrepreneur,” she said.

According to a statement by Kimiebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to promote economic cooperation within the ECOWAS framework and ensure that Nigerian businesses, especially those in emerging regions like the South-East, are not left behind in the evolving landscape of African trade.