The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria to take full advantage of regional trade opportunities offered by the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), described it as a “strategic pillar of West Africa’s economic integration.”
Ambassador Ojukwu made the call while delivering her opening remarks at the ETLS Sensitization Workshop held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Tuesday.
She commended the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for the State’s warm hospitality and “forward-looking commitment to inclusive growth,” noting that Enugu’s emerging status as a hub for innovation and enterprise makes it a fitting venue for the workshop.
“Our choice of Enugu for this workshop is strategic. The State has become a beacon of economic transformation in the South-East. SMEs remain the engine room of our economy they generate employment, stimulate innovation, and drive inclusive prosperity,” Ojukwu stated.
She emphasized that the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme is not merely a technical mechanism but a vital instrument for deepening regional integration, expanding cross-border trade, and fostering economic empowerment.
“As the oldest operational trade policy of ECOWAS, ETLS underpins the free movement of goods and services, complements the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, and anticipates the broader framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In essence, ETLS is both a gateway and a test case for Africa’s economic renaissance,” she said.
The Minister stressed that Nigeria’s leadership role in the process is both natural and expected, but added that the true measure of success lies in how well local entrepreneurs and manufacturers are empowered to thrive in the regional market.
She urged participants to actively engage in the workshop, share ideas, and forge partnerships that can position their businesses competitively across West Africa.
“Regional integration is not an abstract idea. It is about people, jobs, markets, and opportunities. It is about transforming promises into tangible benefits for every Nigerian entrepreneur,” she concluded.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with ECOWAS, brought together policymakers, business leaders, and representatives of trade associations to discuss strategies for expanding Nigeria’s participation in regional trade under the ETLS framework.
