South-East Set For ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Summit To Boost Regional Commerce
The South-East business community is gearing up for a major economic gathering as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) sensitisation workshop takes centre stage in Enugu on Tuesday, 28th October 2025.
The one-day event, themed “Increasing Intra-Regional Trade through ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme,” aims to deepen understanding of the ETLS, a trade mechanism established in 1979 to promote free movement of goods and economic integration across West Africa.
According to Dr Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the scheme offers duty-free access for certified products within the region and holds vast potential for job creation, entrepreneurship, and reduced import dependence.
Nigeria, which accounts for over a third of registered ETLS companies in the region, continues to lead in participation, yet awareness remains low among SMEs and traders.
The Enugu workshop, jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Enugu State Government, seeks to change that by educating participants on eligibility, certification, and compliance.
Governor Peter Mbah will serve as Chief Host, while the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, will formally host the event at the International Conference Centre, Independence Layout, Enugu.
Stakeholders expected at the event, include entrepreneurs, manufacturers, exporters, and women in business, all eager to unlock new opportunities for cross-border trade in West Africa.
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