Multi-Billion Dolar Investment Signals New Era Of Industrial Transformation For West Africa
Africa’s contribution to global GDP is currently 3%, contributing only 2% of the world’s manufacturing value added (UNIDO 2024). Economic resources-rich countries based on commodity exports can only capture 30% of their value. A strategic shift to product value and exports may yield returns of more than 10 times the original value.
However, international investors continue to review opportunities in the region. Over the past 12 months, the Ghanaian government has signed a landmark $12 billion agreement with the TCP-UIC consortium to develop oil hub projects, including three refineries and five petrochemical plants. Eni promises to develop the Baleine Field Offshore Côte D’Ivoire for $10 billion. In June 2024, the Nigerian federal government received a $3 billion factory from Afrexim Bank to build industrial parks and invest in light manufacturing. The African Development Bank Group approved a $75 million loan to support the implementation of Senegal’s Resource Mobilization and the Support for Industrial Development (PAMRDI-I).
The highly anticipated summit and exhibition of West Africa Industrialization, Manufacturing and Trade (West Africa-IMT) is scheduled to be held in Lagos, Nigeria from May 27 to 29, 2025. The landmark version is intended to support the acceleration of industrial development in West Africa. Key decision makers were gathered from the entire industrial ecosystem to collaborate and map pathways to sustainable and internal industrial revolutions in Africa.
The event, which “accelerates the sustainable industrial revolution in West Africa, accelerates the sustainable industrial revolution”, will gather market leaders from around the globe, inspire innovative discourse on development partnerships to leverage the resources and development of African countries. National technical solutions.
The heads of state across West Africa view industrialization as a key priority, as a core catalyst for economic transformation, and avenues to leverage its abundant resources in natural resources, including raw materials and human capital.
Africa has a wealth of natural resources, a young labor force, renewable energy potential, land with arable land, a growing middle-class consumer market, and a cost-competitive labor force, thus possessing many key elements of industrial success. But the region continues to work to address the impact of climate change on agriculture, geopolitical tensions drive energy, food prices, and political uncertainty.
Through effective reforms and correct policy measures, countries within the region will attract investors and create a favorable environment for business thriving. The potential utilization of clean energy systems and green industrialization by advanced technologies may enable African countries to overcome faster and more effective industrial revolutions.
“West Africa Industrialization, Manufacturing and Trade (West Africa-IMT) Summit and Exhibition is a landmark program dedicated to unlocking the full industrial potential of West Africa.
By fostering discourses that are critical to the development of industrialization and trade strategies in the region and bringing companies together to drive business development efforts, West Africa will be the core industry that supports regional, international governments, as well as private sector stakeholders to support sustainable development revolution.
At DMG, we are committed to creating platforms that bring industry stakeholders together to drive the market and drive transformative progress. Through our partnerships, we aim to drive economic prosperity across the region and establish West Africa as a key player in the global industrial ecosystem. ”
Wemimo Oyelana, Director of Nigeria and Portfolio, Africa, DMG Events.
Within three event days, the government will meet with the private sector and international investors to outline the priorities of the sustainable industrialization journey. The event is expected to attract 2500 attendees from over 25 countries, making it the first in the region.
The large exhibition will showcase major international and regional players, including manufacturing, energy, finance, technology, logistics, raw materials and safety. Transaction marking and collaboration will be at the heart of network opportunities.
The summit will align with the agenda of government and private sector participants to design solutions to barriers while demonstrating opportunities for regional and international cooperation and trade. The Strategic Summit will also adopt leadership dialogues, investment roundtables and a series of CPD-recognized technical workshops.
West Africa Industrialization, Manufacturing and Trade Summit and Exhibition
May 27-29, 2025 I Landmark Center | Lagos | Nigeria
