West Africa IMT summit to position region as manufacturing hub

With global trade facing unprecedented shifts driven by mounting tensions between major economies, West Africa is preparing to step into a more strategic role on the global economic stage. The upcoming West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade (IMT) Summit & Exhibition 2025, scheduled for October 21–23 at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, will focus on […]

With global trade facing unprecedented shifts driven by mounting tensions between major economies, West Africa is preparing to step into a more strategic role on the global economic stage.

The upcoming West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade (IMT) Summit & Exhibition 2025, scheduled for October 21–23 at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, will focus on harnessing these disruptions to accelerate industrial growth across the region.

The summit comes as the trade dispute between the United States and China escalates, with tariffs reaching up to 145% on some goods. This has forced global manufacturers to rethink their supply chains and sourcing strategies—creating opportunities for emerging markets like West Africa to attract investment and diversify trade partnerships.

“The tariff standoff may be creating uncertainty globally, but for Nigeria, it presents an opening,” said Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. “We must seize this moment to reposition ourselves as a competitive trade and investment destination, and deepen value addition in our export sectors.”

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Themed: “Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity,” the West Africa IMT 2025 summit is expected to draw government officials, industry leaders, development partners and investors from across the continent and beyond.

The event also aligns with broader efforts under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is aimed at boosting intra-African trade and industrialisation. Countries such as Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire are already showing progress—whether through expanded textile industries, enhanced cocoa processing or increased regional exports.

Speaking on the event’s significance, Wemimo Oyelana, Portfolio Director for Africa at dmg events, said: “The global trade environment is shifting rapidly. This summit is a timely response—offering African leaders a platform to realign strategies, unlock capital, and accelerate the continent’s industrial transformation.”