Stakeholders in the trade and manufacturing sector are set to support the acceleration of industrial development within West Africa by convening key decision makers from across the entire industrialisation ecosystem to collaborate.
To this end, the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade (West Africa – IMT) Summit and Exhibition scheduled to hold in Lagos from 27 – 29 May 2025, will equally chart the pathway towards a sustainable and intra-African industrial revolution.
Themed ‘Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity’, the event will convene market leaders from around the globe to spark innovative discourse on developing partnerships to leverage the resources endowments of African nations and the technological solutions of the developed nations.
Heads of state across West Africa have set industrialisation as the key priority, acknowledging it as the central catalyst for economic transformation and an avenue to take advantage of its abundance in natural resources including raw materials and human capital.
With abundant natural resources, a young workforce, renewable energy potential, arable land, a growing middle-class consumer market, and a cost-competitive labour force, Africa has many of the key ingredients for industrial success.
However, the region continues to grapple with the impact of climate change on agriculture, geopolitical tensions driving up energy and food prices and political uncertainties.
According to the organisers, through effective reforms and the right policy measures, nations within the region are set to attract investors and create an enabling environment for business to thrive even as the potential utilisation of advanced technologies for cleaner energy systems and green industrialisation could see African nations leapfrogging for a more rapid and efficient industrial revolution.
By fostering the discourse that is critical to developing the industrialisation and trade strategies for the region, and bringing companies together to drive business development efforts, organisers said, West Africa IMT will be at the heart of supporting regional and international government and private sector stakeholders to spearhead a sustainable industrial revolution.
“At dmg, we have a commitment to creating platforms that bring industry stakeholders together to move the market and drive transformative progress. Through our partnerships, we aim to drive economic prosperity for the entire region and establish West Africa as a vital player in the global industrial ecosystem.”
Country director, Nigeria and portfolio director, Africa, dmg events., Wemimo Oyelana said.
Over the three event days, Oyelana said, governments will meet with the private sector and international investors to outline priorities for a sustainable industrialisation journey while the event is expected to attract 2,500 attendees from over 25 countries, making it the first of its kind within the region.
The large-scale Exhibition, Oyelana added, will showcase major international and regional players, including, manufacturing, energy, finance, technology, logistics, raw materials and security. Deal marking and collaboration will be at the heart of the networking opportunities.
The Summit will align with the agenda of governments and the private sector players, to devise solutions to the barriers inhibiting the development of industries, while showcasing the opportunities for regional and international collaboration and trade.
The Strategic Summit will also feature leadership dialogues, investment roundtables and a series of CPD accredited technical workshops.
