The Enugu State Government has called on the Federal Government to introduce stronger policy frameworks to protect local manufacturers and empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as Nigeria implements regional and global trade agreements.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Peter Mbah, the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, made the call at a one-day sensitisation workshop on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
Mbah described the ETLS as a strategic opportunity to expand trade across West Africa but stressed that policies must align with domestic realities particularly in infrastructure and access to finance if Nigeria is to fully benefit from regional integration.
The event, themed “Increasing Intra-Regional Trade through ETLS,” was organised by the ECOWAS National Unit of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to raise awareness and strengthen participation in the trade scheme.
The governor commended the choice of Enugu as the host, noting that the South-East region’s entrepreneurial spirit makes it a key player in regional trade. He, however, cautioned that the government must learn from past challenges and adopt practical reforms that support local enterprises.
“For an SME trader in Ogbete Market or Coal Camp seeking finance, applications shouldn’t have to wait for approval from Abuja,” Ossai said. “Government must empower regional offices to act swiftly. Development finance should be driven by business potential, not collateral.”
He further proposed the creation of an ECOWAS Commercial Bank to provide funding for regional infrastructure and SMEs, while calling for decentralisation of approval powers within institutions such as the Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), and NEXIM Bank to ensure faster access to credit.
In her remarks, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, described the ETLS as “a cornerstone of West Africa’s integration agenda,” noting that it supports the free movement of goods and services and complements the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Also speaking, Dr. Daniel Ochi, Director-General of the Southeast Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), pledged the chamber’s commitment to promoting the scheme and mobilising regional entrepreneurs.
The workshop brought together government officials, SME operators, trade experts, and business leaders from across the region to explore strategies for boosting intra-regional trade and empowering local enterprises.
Through such collaborative initiatives, Enugu State reaffirmed its readiness to work with federal and regional partners to unlock opportunities for Nigerian SMEs and strengthen economic inclusion across West Africa.
