The Federal Government has called on the business community in the South-East to take advantage of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) — a regional trade framework designed to promote free trade among West African nations. The scheme, established in 1979, aims to remove barriers to commerce and grant duty-free access to markets for products made within ECOWAS member states.
Speaking in Enugu on Tuesday at a one-day workshop on how to participate in the scheme, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, described the initiative as a critical step toward deepening regional integration through trade. She noted that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the “engine room” of Nigeria’s economy, generating employment and driving innovation, and must be supported to expand beyond local markets.
“This initiative is timely,” she said. “It speaks to the urgent need to empower SMEs to take their rightful place in the vast West African market. Strengthening SMEs is not just a local goal but a regional necessity.”
Ojukwu further emphasized that the ETLS represents more than a trade policy — it is a strategic pillar for West Africa’s economic unity. “It underpins the free movement of goods, services, and people and aligns perfectly with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). For Nigeria, leadership in this process is not optional — it’s expected,” she explained.
Despite its promise, she lamented that the ETLS remains underutilized, as many entrepreneurs and public sector actors are unaware of its benefits or how to access it. The workshop, she added, was designed to “democratize opportunity” by equipping small businesses with the knowledge and tools to engage effectively in cross-border trade.
Representing Governor Peter Mbah, Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai commended the initiative but urged the Federal Government and financial institutions to protect local industries. He noted that small-scale manufacturers struggle to access loans from institutions like the Bank of Industry and NEXIM Bank due to stringent collateral demands.
“For trade liberalization to work, we must remove barriers such as high-interest rates and tough lending conditions,” he said. “In the past, our industries thrived — Peugeot was producing in Kaduna, shoes were made in Aba, and ANAMCO was booming. We must return to that era of productive trade.”
The workshop ended with a renewed sense of optimism that, with the right policies and awareness, South-East businesses could position themselves as key players in regional and continental trade.
