Governments, Industry Leaders from West Africa to Gather in Lagos for Industrial Advancement
West Africa finds itself at a pivotal juncture. West Africa is being pushed to take charge of its economic future through industrialization, intraregional commerce, infrastructure development, and strategic international trade expansion as international aid wanes and trade alliances change. The West Africa Industrialization, Manufacturing & Trade (West Africa – IMT) Summit & Exhibition 2025 will bring together stakeholders from all around the area in Lagos from October 21–23 to discuss these issues.
A recent government procurement regulation in Ghana that prioritizes locally produced goods shows a move away from reliance and toward intentional domestic value creation. In addition to positioning Ghana as a commodity producer, this plan coincides with the country’s anticipated 32% rise in cocoa output, which might serve as a hub for processed goods manufacturing. To enhance long-term industrial capacity, Ghana is coordinating infrastructure with policy through the establishment of new industrial parks that provide incentives to logistics operators and manufacturers.
Likewise, Senegal is utilizing a production-oriented strategy that is yielding observable outcomes. Year-over-year, industrial output has increased by more than 19%, with significant increases in the food processing, poultry, and textile industries. Support from the government, such as subsidies for regional producers and the extension of the electricity grid’s capacity to industrial areas, is transforming policy into action. Strategic agreements with neighboring countries have led to improvements in trade flow, demonstrating the quantifiable benefit of this alignment. Deeper regional cooperation, the kind that the West Africa – IMT Summit and Exhibition aims to promote, is made possible by these national reforms.
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The policy philosophies of both nations highlight a larger pattern: a new West African aspiration based on realistic change and sustained dominance. While Senegal is strengthening its position as a logistics and industrial gateway with significant investments in port infrastructure in Dakar and a wave of mid-sized manufacturing startups spreading across urban hubs, Ghana is actively pursuing export diversification under the AfCFTA, focusing on processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods—sectoral areas built on its strong agricultural and mineral base.
Speaking about the policies, Wemimo Oyelana, Country Director, Nigeria & Portfolio Director, Energy for dmg Nigeria events, emphasized, “What we are seeing across West Africa is a series of concrete steps toward building the ecosystem required for industries to thrive in a world that is rapidly moving toward locally rooted production and trade-driven partnerships.” The area is starting to strike a balance between performance and potential, as well as ambition and organization. Infrastructure, investment, and careful execution are now needed to support that momentum. In addition to highlighting achievements, the West Africa IMT Summit aims to bridge the gaps between capital, policy, and capacity in order to scale significant, long-lasting change throughout the region.
The three-day summit will bring together investors, businesspeople, legislators, and trade specialists for sector-specific discussions on manufacturing incentives, energy access, logistics optimization, and regional trade frameworks.
