MAN Hinges Future of Nigerian Manufacturing on Competitiveness, Innovation, Global Relevance

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG) has hinged the future of Nigerian manufacturing on competitiveness, innovation, global relevance, access to right policies, incentives and financing.

MANEG, which is the export arm of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), said that these ingredients would enable Nigerian manufacturing to compete successfully in the African and global export markets.  

These were declared by the newly appointed Chairman of MANEG, Mrs. Ruth Owojaiye, during the unveiling of a 2026/2027 strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s export competitiveness, accelerating manufacturing growth and positioning locally produced goods for greater access to African and global markets.

Owojaiye, who is also the Director of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), said: “Nigeria’s manufacturing future must be defined by competitiveness, innovation and global relevance. To achieve this, Nigerian manufacturers must have access to the right policies, incentives, financing, knowledge and partnerships needed to compete successfully beyond our borders.”

She said that the priorities of the roadmap are focused on four pillars, which are strengthening strategic engagements, enhanced awareness and utilisation of export incentives, access to export finance and export capacity development.

Owojaiye said that Nigeria possessed the resources, industrial capacity and entrepreneurial strength required to emerge as a leading manufacturing hub in Africa, but this would require deliberate and continuous shift towards export readiness and competitiveness.

She said that MANEG would continue to deepen collaboration with key government institutions, financial organisations, international and supranational stakeholders and regional trade bodies in order to strengthen Nigeria’s export ecosystem.

The group also identified awareness and utilisation of all export-related incentives as a key priority.

It said that many local manufacturers, especially the small and medium sized businesses, are yet to fully leverage on available government-backed incentives due to limited awareness of eligibility requirements and application processes.

“An incentive can only create economic value when businesses understand how to access and deploy it effectively. Our objective is to bridge the gap between policy availability and practical business utilisation,” Owojaiye said.

She stressed the need for stronger connections between manufacturers and export finance providers.

According to her, export expansion requires significant investment in technology upgrades, production capacity, international certifications, packaging improvements, logistics and market development in order to compete effectively in global markets.

MANEG said that it would prioritise capacity development programmes aimed at equipping manufacturers with the knowledge and skills required to meet international standards, navigate export requirements, improve quality systems, and respond to evolving global trade expectations.

“The manufacturers that will succeed globally are those that understand market expectations, embrace innovation and continuously improve their processes. Export readiness is a journey of constant learning and transformation,” Owojaiye said.

She noted that opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Nigerian manufacturers to expand into a continental market of more than one billion people.

She, however, stressed that these opportunities are for businesses that have improved their competitiveness, meet international quality standards, and develop products capable of succeeding in increasingly competitive markets.

The chairman of MANEG’s reaffirmed the group’s commitment to supporting its members in positioning Made-In-Nigeria products, collaborating with government, development partners and the private sector to build a more competitive and export-oriented manufacturing industry.

The group expressed confidence that through sustained partnerships and targeted reforms, Nigerian manufacturers could expand their footprint across Africa and global markets.