In a statement issued on Monday by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr. Magnus Eze, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the initiative would be discussed in detail during the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) workshop scheduled for October 28, 2025, in Enugu.
Organised by the ECOWAS National Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Enugu State Government, the workshop aims to enlighten stakeholders about the benefits and implementation of the ETLS — a key ECOWAS policy launched in 1979 to foster economic integration through duty-free trade within member states.
The Minister noted that Nigeria accounts for over 36 percent of all registered companies under the ETLS, with more than 3,000 companies and 6,000 certified products participating. However, she expressed concern that many businesses, especially SMEs, remain unaware of the scheme’s potential and eligibility processes.
“The ETLS is designed to promote intra-regional trade, reduce reliance on imports, and boost job creation through entrepreneurship,” she said.
She added that the sensitisation workshop in Enugu would focus on raising awareness of duty-free access, removal of non-tariff barriers, certification procedures, and the documentation process for ECOWAS-originating products.
The event, themed “Increasing Intra-Regional Trade through ETLS,” is expected to draw participants from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), exporters, agro-processors, and women-led enterprises.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State will serve as the chief host of the event, while Odumegwu-Ojukwu will lead the discussions on deepening economic integration through trade liberalisation.
