Lagos Set to Host West African Summit on Accelerating Industrial Growth

West Africa is reaching a turning point in its history. West Africa faces the task of taking charge of its economic future through industrialization, intraregional commerce, infrastructure development, and strategic global trade expansion as international aid diminishes and trade alliances change. In order to tackle these issues, 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.

A recent procurement regulation from the Ghanaian government that prioritizes locally made goods shows a move away from reliance and toward intentional domestic value creation. This program coincides with Ghana’s anticipated 32% growth in cocoa production, which establishes the country as a potential hub for processed goods manufacture in addition to being a producer of commodities. Ghana is connecting infrastructure and policy to boost long-term industrial capacity by providing incentives to manufacturers and logistics operators through new industrial parks.

In a similar vein, Senegal is exhibiting a production-oriented strategy that is yielding noticeable outcomes. With significant increases in the production of textiles, food processing, and poultry, industrial output has increased by more than 19% annually. Policy is being translated into action with the help of government-backed initiatives like electricity grid capacity expansion to industrial zones and subsidies to regional producers. The quantifiable effects of this alignment are demonstrated by improvements in trade flow that are fueled by strategic agreements with neighboring nations. These nation-led changes pave the way for more extensive regional cooperation, which is what the West Africa-IMT Summit and Exhibition aims to promote.

Policy directions in both nations highlight a larger trend: a new West African aspiration based on long-term competitiveness and realistic change. With significant investments in port infrastructure in Dakar and a wave of mid-sized manufacturing startups expanding throughout urban centers, Senegal is solidifying its position as a logistics and industrial gateway, while Ghana is aggressively pursuing export diversification under the AfCFTA, focusing on processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods—sectoral areas based on its robust agricultural and mineral base.

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“In a world that is rapidly moving toward locally rooted production and trade-driven partnerships, what we are seeing across West Africa is a series of concrete steps toward building the ecosystem required for industries to thrive,” Wemimo Oyelana, Country Director, Nigeria & Portfolio Director, Energy for dmg Nigeria events, emphasized in his remarks about the policies. Ambition and structure, as well as potential and performance, are starting to align in the region. But now, infrastructure, funding, and careful implementation are needed to support that momentum. The goal of the West Africa IMT Summit is to scale genuine, long-lasting change throughout the region by bridging the gaps between policy, capital, and capacity in addition to highlighting success stories.

During the three-day summit, industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and trade experts will engage in sector-specific discussions about regional trade frameworks, manufacturing incentives, energy access, and logistics optimization.