Lagos is set to become the epicenter of industrial transformation next month, as policymakers, manufacturers, and investors from across West Africa gather for the inaugural West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit and Exhibition (West Africa IMT 2026). The event, scheduled for March 3 to 5 at the Landmark Centre, is designed to accelerate the region's industrial growth, align government policies with private sector initiatives, and secure long-term financing for a globally competitive West African industrial hub.

Endorsed by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and organized by dmg Nigeria events, the summit comes at a critical time when regional governments are intensifying their focus on industrialization to harness the region's natural resources and youthful population for job creation, manufacturing, and export growth.

Recent data highlights the urgency of strengthening West Africa’s industrial base. Nigeria’s exports to African markets rose 14 percent to ₦4.82 trillion, with over 60 percent directed to West African countries. In Ghana, the government’s 24-hour economy policy is already yielding positive results, with early gains reported in the Tema light-manufacturing corridor.

As trade volumes increase, organisers note the need for deeper productive capacity. “The growing trade flows must now translate into enhanced manufacturing capabilities,” said a representative from the organizing team.

The summit’s objectives align with national and regional priorities, including the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). John Owan Enoh, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, emphasized the importance of industrial growth, describing it as “the foundation for job creation, skills development, and sustainable prosperity.”

The summit will feature a diverse lineup of speakers from both the public and private sectors. Among them are Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, Benin’s Minister of Industry and Trade; Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Benin’s Foreign Affairs Minister; Cheikh Niane, Senegal’s Vice Minister of Energy, Petroleum, and Mines; and Ufuoma Adasen, Vice President for Heavy Industries, Telecoms, and Technology at the Africa Finance Corporation.

Leading business figures, such as Timi Austen-Peters, Chairman of Dorman Long Engineering, George Onafowokan, CEO of Coleman Wires and Cables, Mudiaga Mowoe, CEO of Matta, and Naana Winful Fynn, West Africa Regional Director at Norfund, will also take part in discussions.

Discussions at the summit will focus on several key themes including unlocking manufacturing scale, enhancing supply chains, and improving trade logistics. Sessions will also tackle infrastructure gaps and financing frameworks necessary to support value-added production in the region.

By bringing together influential public and private sector leaders in one venue, the summit aims to shift the conversation from high-level discussions to actionable projects, fostering practical solutions that can be implemented across the region.

As West Africa strives for a stronger position in global value chains, the West Africa IMT 2026 will serve as a critical platform to test the region's ability to translate ambition into tangible industrial growth. The summit’s outcomes will be pivotal in determining how swiftly West Africa can transform its industrial potential into global competitiveness.