By joshua North-Central Businesses Must Move From Awareness To Action On ECOWAS Trade Scheme – NACCIMA, KOCCIMA Presidents Tell Workshop
The National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, mni, OON, and the President of the Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, KOCCIMA, Dr. Akerejola Demiloye, have urged businesses in the North-Central geopolitical zone to move beyond awareness to practical participation in the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, ETLS, to expand market access and drive regional economic growth.
The two Chamber leaders spoke on Monday at the Banquet Hall, Kogi State Government House, Lokoja, at the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme One-Day Sensitisation Workshop for the North-Central geopolitical zone with the theme “Harnessing the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme to Promote Nigeria’s Intra-Regional Trade and Economic Growth.”
The workshop was organised by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the ECOWAS National Unit.
Engr. Ibrahim, who is also President of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry, FEWACCI, and Chairman of the Organized Private Sector of Nigeria, OPSN, commended the Ministry for taking the conversation on regional trade integration directly to the North-Central zone.
He described the zone as strategic to Nigeria’s economic landscape given its rich agricultural resources, growing manufacturing base, expanding small and medium-sized enterprises and geographical connectivity, which position it as an important hub for domestic commerce and cross-border trade.
He noted that for over four decades, ETLS has remained a key instrument for promoting regional economic integration, industrial development and intra-community trade by facilitating free movement of qualifying originating products within ECOWAS through removal of customs duties and equivalent charges.
However, he observed that significant opportunities remain untapped due to limited awareness of export procedures, product certification requirements, rules of origin and preferential market access, coupled with practical challenges such as non-tariff barriers, cumbersome certification procedures, inadequate trade information and multiple transit requirements.
He stressed that the success of any regional trade framework should not be measured by policies and agreements alone, but by the extent to which farmers, manufacturers, SMEs and exporters can practically access opportunities.
In this regard, he reaffirmed NACCIMA’s commitment to mobilising member Chambers across the North-Central states to increase awareness and registration of eligible products under ETLS; working with relevant agencies to simplify access to certification and export documentation; building capacity of SMEs and agricultural producers to meet regional market requirements; advocating removal of non-tariff barriers; and strengthening public-private collaboration to improve competitiveness.
He urged participants to ensure knowledge acquired translates beyond the conference room into practical business decisions, increased export participation, expanded production, employment opportunities and stronger commercial relationships across West Africa.
In his goodwill message, the KOCCIMA President, Dr. Demiloye, represented by Deputy President 1, Comr. Rajaun Suleiman, commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the ECOWAS National Unit for the timely and strategic engagement, saying it would deepen stakeholders’ understanding and strengthen Nigeria’s participation in regional trade.
He described the choice of Lokoja as particularly significant, noting that Kogi occupies a strategic position connecting several commercial centres and providing opportunities for movement of goods, services, agricultural produce and industrial products.
According to him, while ETLS presents enormous opportunities for market expansion and increased production, its benefits cannot be fully realised if manufacturers, exporters and MSMEs lack adequate knowledge of product eligibility, rules of origin, approval procedures and customs processes.
He said the workshop was crucial in bridging the information gap between trade policies and business realities, urging government agencies to sustain collaboration with Chambers to ensure knowledge translates into practical opportunities.
Dr. Demiloye advocated that ETLS information be made accessible at State and Local Government levels, particularly for agricultural producers, agro-processors, manufacturers and young entrepreneurs, stressing the need for practical assistance with product registration, certification, standards compliance and customs documentation.
He noted that Kogi’s agricultural potential provides a strong foundation for regional trade in food and agro-processed commodities, while its mineral resources, commercial activities and strategic location offer opportunities for industrial development, logistics and distribution.
He added that regional trade liberalisation must be accompanied by improved productive capacity, reliable infrastructure, access to finance and transparent procedures, while businesses must maintain product quality and comply with standards.
Reaffirming KOCCIMA’s commitment as the apex Chamber in the state, he expressed readiness to collaborate with NACCIMA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ECOWAS National Unit, regulatory agencies and sister Chambers to disseminate ETLS information, identify eligible businesses, promote export readiness and connect Nigerian enterprises with opportunities in the wider West African market.
Both leaders agreed that stronger partnerships between government, Chambers, manufacturers, exporters, financial institutions and logistics operators are essential to ensure ETLS delivers tangible benefits in increased trade, business expansion, employment generation and improved livelihoods.
They concluded that the success of the Scheme should ultimately be measured by the number of businesses empowered to trade successfully, markets accessed, jobs created and economic value generated, calling for a shift from awareness to implementation and measurable commercial results.