In a major move to expand economic opportunities and strengthen regional integration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—ECOWAS National Unit—in partnership with the Enugu State Government, is set to host a high-level workshop on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), the flagship programme driving free trade across West Africa.
The one-day event, themed “Increasing Intra-Regional Trade Through ETLS,” will convene policymakers, trade experts, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for enhancing Nigeria’s participation in regional commerce and unlocking new growth opportunities for local industries.
The workshop will be hosted by Her Excellency, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and chief hosted by His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Executive Governor of Enugu State.
According to the organisers, the workshop aims to create greater awareness of the ETLS framework, helping Nigerian producers and exporters leverage the platform to access new markets, remove trade barriers, and boost cross-border investment within the ECOWAS subregion.
“This programme is designed to help local entrepreneurs and manufacturers understand how to take advantage of the ECOWAS single market,” said an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Through ETLS, we are working to make regional trade smoother, faster, and more rewarding for businesses.”
The initiative reflects the federal government’s ongoing commitment to regional economic integration while highlighting Enugu’s emergence as a strategic commercial hub in the South East. The city continues to attract national and international attention as a preferred destination for investment, innovation, and policy dialogue.
Governor Peter Mbah, whose administration has prioritized private sector growth and infrastructure development, is expected to reaffirm Enugu’s readiness to serve as a gateway for West African trade during the event.
“Enugu is positioning itself as the logistics and investment capital of the South East,” a state government official said. “This collaboration with ECOWAS aligns perfectly with our vision of building an economy that connects local businesses to regional and continental markets.”
The workshop is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the International Conference Center (ICC), Enugu, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
The partnership between ECOWAS and the Enugu State Government signals a renewed push to bridge policy gaps, support SMEs, and build a more inclusive regional economy powered by trade, innovation, and cooperation.
