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The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG) has unveiled a 2026/2027 export roadmap aimed at helping Nigerian manufacturers compete more effectively in African and global markets.
The group said the strategy would address key challenges limiting the export potential of Nigerian manufacturers, including access to finance, international quality standards, technology, certification, logistics and changing consumer demands.
Unveiling the roadmap in Lagos, Chairman of MANEG, Mrs. Ruth Owojaiye, said Nigeria had the resources, industrial capacity and entrepreneurial strength to become a major manufacturing hub in Africa.
She, however, said the country must move beyond producing mainly for the domestic market and build a manufacturing sector that is consistently prepared for international competition.
Owojaiye, who is also Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), said the future of Nigeria’s manufacturing industry would increasingly depend on its ability to compete beyond the country’s borders.
“Nigeria’s manufacturing future must be defined by competitiveness, innovation and global relevance,” she said.
According to her, manufacturers need supportive policies, incentives, financing, technical knowledge and strategic partnerships to successfully enter and remain in international markets.
The 2026/2027 MANEG roadmap focuses on four major areas: strengthening strategic engagements, improving awareness and use of export incentives, expanding access to export finance and building manufacturers’ export capacity.
MANEG said it would strengthen collaboration with government agencies, financial institutions, regional trade bodies, international organisations and other stakeholders to build a stronger support system for export-oriented manufacturers.
The association also identified poor awareness and limited use of available export incentives as a major obstacle, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.
Owojaiye said many manufacturers were unable to take advantage of government-backed incentives because they lacked adequate information about eligibility requirements and application processes.
“An incentive can only create economic value when businesses understand how to access and deploy it effectively. Our objective is to bridge the gap between policy availability and practical business utilisation,” she said.
The group said limited access to export finance was another major constraint preventing manufacturers from expanding into international markets.
It noted that companies seeking to export often need significant funding to upgrade technology, expand production, obtain international certifications, improve packaging, strengthen logistics and develop new markets.
MANEG also plans to increase capacity-building programmes to give manufacturers practical knowledge of international standards, export regulations, quality management systems and emerging global trade requirements.
“Export readiness is a journey of constant learning and transformation,” Owojaiye said, adding that manufacturers seeking to succeed globally must continually innovate and improve their production processes.
The association identified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a major opportunity for Nigerian manufacturers to expand their customer base across the continent.
With access to a continental market of more than one billion people, MANEG said Nigerian businesses could significantly increase exports if they improve product quality, competitiveness and compliance with international standards.
The group said the roadmap supports Nigeria’s broader efforts to diversify the economy, increase non-oil exports and strengthen the manufacturing sector.
Owojaiye reaffirmed MANEG’s commitment to working with government, development partners and the private sector to create an environment where Nigerian manufacturers can compete effectively in Africa and other international markets.
She expressed confidence that stronger partnerships, targeted reforms, better access to finance and improved export capacity would help more Made-in-Nigeria products gain a lasting foothold in global markets.
