By Merit Ibe
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has announced that the 7th edition of the Nigeria Manufacturing and Equipment (NME) Expo 2023 is billed to start from 21st to 23rd of November 2023 in Lagos.
The event with the theme: “Future of Manufacturing”, will be held in partnership with the Nigeria Raw Materials Exhibition (NIRAM Expo) in 2023.
The association noted that the event is the only regional one that brings the entire manufacturing and raw materials value chain together on one platform. It is West Africa’s only trade show focusing on the entire manufacturing value chain for the African continent.
The Director General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said: “There is no nation on earth that is considered wealthy or developed or prosperous that does not have a vibrant manufacturing sector. As the official manufacturing event for MAN and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the manufacturing platform will provide unprecedented oppourtunities and access to accelerate the industrialisation of the African continent thereby achieving one of the objectives of AfCFTA.”
He noted that the manufacturing sector has the greatest capability to create jobs, the best position to revive the economy and set the path to development, adding that for this reason, governments all over the world incentivize manufacturing.
The NME EXPO will gather local and international companies to showcase new technologies to enable African industries increase manufacturing output in Africa.
According to the Director General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Professor Hussaini Doko Ibrahim, “To improve capacity utilization, RMRDC through the Nigeria Raw Materials Exhibition (NIRAM Expo) and other programmes, has been promoting new investments in local resources-based industries and encouraging existing industries to source their raw materials from within Nigeria.
“Africa is brimming with opportunities, particularly in the manufacturing sector. Current policy reforms of the Nigeria government and other African governments in order to take advantage of AfCFTA, promise significant benefits such as economic diversification, structural transformation, technological advancement, and job creation. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement will create the largest free trade area in the world measured by the number of countries participating. The pact connects 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at US$3.4 trillion. It has the potential to lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty, but achieving its full potential will depend on putting in place significant policy reforms and trade facilitation measures.
“The NME 2023 will connect its stakeholders with decision makers who are desirous of investing or building new manufacturing plants, procuring the latest innovations in machinery, equipment, and technology, and finding turnkey solutions to improve their existing production output.
“Exhibitors for this edition are expected to join more than 200 other top manufacturing, industrial equipment and raw materials sector organisations by reserving a space on West Africa’s premier marketplace for local buyers and sellers.
The collaborative effort of MAN and RMRDC at this year’s edition is specifically designed to boost the viability of the productive sector as well as guarantee the sustenance of the Nigerian economy.