FG unveils 2026 push for industrial growth, trade, investment

Nigeria's Federal Government is intensifying efforts to drive industrial growth, expand trade, mobilize investment, and boost non-oil exports in 2026. This initiative is a core component of the nation's economic diversification agenda.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, emphasized the need to translate policy into tangible economic results. Speaking at a management retreat for agency heads, she highlighted that the focus is on stronger implementation, inter-agency collaboration, and rigorous performance monitoring. The retreat reviewed the Nigeria Industrial Policy (NIP), the country's first comprehensive industrial framework aimed at rebuilding the manufacturing sector.

Oduwole noted that previous policy initiatives often faltered at the implementation stage. "Our immediate responsibility is to convert policy direction into tangible results through effective execution, inter-agency collaboration and rigorous performance monitoring," she stated. The minister highlighted 2025 achievements, including total capital importation reaching approximately $21 billion in the first 10 months and non-oil exports exceeding $6.1 billion.

Further successes in 2025 included a rise in intra-African trade to about N4.82 trillion in the first half, driven by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Over 115,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) received grants, loans, and trade finance through interventions by the Bank of Industry, NEXIM Bank, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. Nigeria also successfully completed Africa’s first five-year review of AfCFTA implementation, underscoring its leadership in regional trade integration.

“

Our immediate responsibility is to convert policy direction into tangible results through effective execution, inter-agency collaboration and rigorous performance monitoring.