By joshua 
NACCIMA President Rallies North-Central Businesses To Turn ECOWAS Trade Scheme Into Wealth, Jobs
The National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, mni, OON, has urged businesses in the North-Central geopolitical zone to harness the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, ETLS, as a practical instrument for market expansion, wealth creation and regional integration.
NACCIMA National President, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, mni, OON, in discussions with H.E Dmitry Starostin Deputy Prime Minister of Nizhny Novgorid Region of the Russian Federation on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow. 29Oct26
Engr. Ibrahim made the call in his goodwill message at the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme Awareness Workshop for the North-Central geopolitical zone held on Monday at the Banquet Hall, Kogi State Government House, Lokoja.
Conveying the warm greetings and unwavering support of NACCIMA to the workshop, he commended the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the ECOWAS National Unit, in collaboration with regional and state partners, for organizing the strategic engagement and taking the conversation on regional trade integration directly to the North-Central zone.
He described the North-Central region as occupying a strategic position in Nigeria’s economic landscape, noting that its rich agricultural resources, growing manufacturing base, expanding small and medium-sized enterprises and geographical connectivity make it an important hub for domestic commerce and cross-border trade.
According to him, these advantages position businesses in the region to participate more actively in the wider West African market, particularly under ETLS.
He however observed that significant opportunities remain untapped due to limited awareness of export procedures, product certification requirements, rules of origin and preferential market access available under the Scheme.
Engr. Ibrahim noted that for over four decades, ETLS has remained a key instrument for promoting regional economic integration, industrial development and intra-community trade across West Africa, with the objective of facilitating free movement of qualifying originating products within the ECOWAS region by removing customs duties and equivalent charges on eligible goods.
He stressed that the success of any regional trade framework should not be measured solely by policies established or agreements signed, but by the extent to which businesses, particularly farmers, manufacturers, SMEs and exporters, can practically access the opportunities it creates.
He therefore called for a shift beyond awareness creation to addressing practical challenges confronting businesses, including non-tariff barriers, cumbersome certification procedures, inadequate trade information, multiple transit requirements and other obstacles that increase cost and time of cross-border transactions.
As a leading member of the Organized Private Sector of Nigeria, OPSN, and the business community, Engr. Ibrahim said NACCIMA recognizes the importance of translating ETLS objectives into tangible economic benefits for Nigerian businesses.
In this regard, he reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to five key actions: mobilising member Chambers and business communities across North-Central states to increase awareness, participation and registration of eligible products under ETLS; working with relevant government agencies and regulatory institutions to simplify access to product certification, export documentation and compliance procedures; promoting the capacity of SMEs, manufacturers and agricultural producers to meet regional market requirements and take advantage of available trade preferences; advocating the removal of non-tariff barriers and other impediments to efficient cross-border trade; and strengthening public-private sector collaboration to expand intra-African trade and improve competitiveness of Nigerian businesses within the ECOWAS market.
He encouraged manufacturers, SME operators, farmers, exporters, trade associations and policymakers to take full advantage of the workshop, saying knowledge acquired should go beyond the conference room and translate into practical business decisions, increased export participation, expanded production capacity, employment opportunities and stronger commercial relationships across West Africa.
“Let us collectively ensure that ETLS becomes more than a regional trade policy; let it become a practical instrument for expanding businesses, creating wealth, strengthening regional integration and improving the livelihoods of our people,” he said.
He reiterated NACCIMA’s commitment to working with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ECOWAS institutions, state governments and other stakeholders to advance the objectives, wishing participants fruitful deliberations and a successful workshop.