Stakeholders from Nigeria’s South-East gathered in Enugu on Tuesday to discuss strategies for maximising the country’s benefits under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS).

Leading the discussions were Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who called for deliberate reforms to strengthen access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and enhance Nigeria’s role in regional trade.

The one-day sensitisation workshop, held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, was themed “Increasing Intra-Regional Trade through ETLS.” Governor Mbah, represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, described ETLS as a significant opportunity to expand trade across West Africa.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ECOWAS National Unit for choosing Enugu as the venue, noting that the South-East—renowned for its strong trading culture and entrepreneurial spirit—stood to benefit immensely from the initiative.

“You know we’re traders, and when you talk about SMEs in Nigeria, you cannot discount the South-East because that’s what we’re known for. The ETLS presents an opportunity to expand trade not just for us but for other countries within our region,” Ossai said.

However, he cautioned that while regional integration offers immense opportunities, lessons from past industrial decline must not be ignored.

“There are critics who view globalisation as suffocating local production. They’re not entirely wrong. We once had Peugeot in Kaduna, Michelin in Port Harcourt and Lagos, and Aba was known for some of the best shoes. Sadly, all those have disappeared,” he noted.

Ossai urged the federal government to develop policies that protect local manufacturers while implementing regional and global trade agreements. He also advocated for decentralising approval powers in development finance institutions such as the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, and NEXIM Bank, to enable quicker access to funding for entrepreneurs.

“For an SME trader in Ogbete Market or Coal Camp seeking finance, applications shouldn’t have to wait for approval from Abuja. Government must restructure policies to empower regional offices to approve facilities for viable businesses. Development finance should be based on business potential, not collateral,” he said.

The Deputy Governor further proposed the establishment of an ECOWAS Commercial Bank to finance regional infrastructure and SMEs.

“Manufacturing and production cannot thrive without robust infrastructure. ECOWAS must begin to consider a commercial bank that finances governments and supports SMEs,” he added.

In her remarks, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the workshop as a vital step towards deepening regional integration and empowering small businesses to benefit from West Africa’s expanding market.

“The ETLS is not just a technical instrument but a strategic pillar of West Africa’s integration agenda. It underpins free movement of goods and services and complements the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that Nigeria’s leadership in regional trade must translate into real opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

“Success lies not in Abuja or Lagos, but in how effectively our traders, manufacturers, and innovators can compete regionally. This workshop is about democratising opportunity,” she added, commending the Enugu State Government for its commitment to innovation and enterprise, describing the state as “a model for how local dynamism can align with continental ambitions.”

Also speaking, Dr. Daniel Ochi, Director-General of the Southeast Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), who represented the Chamber’s President, Mr. Humphrey Ngonadi, pledged the Chamber’s support for promoting the scheme across the region.

“This is a historic event, and we appreciate the opportunity. We’ll escalate this sensitisation to all 17 chambers across the South-East to ensure our members understand and key into the benefits of the ETLS,” Ochi said.

The workshop, organised by the ECOWAS National Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brought together government officials, SME operators, trade experts, and business leaders from across the region to explore strategies for expanding intra-regional trade and supporting local enterprises.

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