Doris Ewoh, Enugu
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, has highlighted the role of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) in empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to transform local brilliance into regional competitiveness, ultimately strengthening national economies.
She made the statement during her opening remarks at a one-day Sensitization and Workshop on “The Modalities for Participation in the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS),” hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the ECOWAS National Unit, Abuja, and the Enugu State Government.
The event took place at the International Conference Center, Enugu, on Tuesday, 28th October 2025.
Ojukwu described ETLS as “the oldest trading policy in ECOWAS” and emphasized the importance for SMEs to harness its potential.
She stated, “The ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme is not just a technical instrument; it is a strategic pillar of West Africa’s integration agenda. As the oldest operational trade policy of ECOWAS, it underpins the free movement of goods and services, complements the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, and anticipates the broader framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“Yet the true measure of success lies not in Abuja, not in Lagos alone, but in how effectively local entrepreneurs, our traders, our manufacturers, and our innovators, are enabled to compete and thrive regionally.
“This workshop, therefore, is about democratizing opportunity, equipping SMEs with the knowledge, the skills, and networks to transcend local boundaries and embrace the wider West African market.”
The minister further underscored the foundational role of SMEs in national economies. She said, “SMEs remain the engine room of our economy. They generate employment, stimulate innovation, and drive inclusive prosperity. Strengthening them is not merely a local concern; it is a regional imperative.”
On the choice of Enugu as the host city, Ojukwu remarked, “Enugu’s leadership in fostering innovation and enterprise demonstrates a forward-looking commitment to inclusive growth and resonates deeply with the objectives of the NGO scheme.
“Our choice of Enugu for this workshop is strategic. The State has become a beacon of economic transformation in the southeast of Nigeria, and Enugu stands today as a model for how we can align local dynamism with continental ambitions.”
Representing the Governor of Enugu State, Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, acknowledged the region’s long-standing commercial identity.
“We know that we are traders. If you talk about SMEs in Nigeria or in the sub-region, you can’t discount the east region, because that is what we are known for, and that is what we have tried to do to the best of our ability.
“The ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme represents an attempt to regionally expand opportunities for traders and for other countries in our region.”
Ossai also raised concerns over SME financing, pointing to the challenges of accessing loans through approvals centralized in Abuja, where “they look at files and not documents,” and the demand for collateral that many cannot provide.
He urged restructuring at the Bank of Industries, focusing on businesses with potential to recover investments rather than merely evaluating files.
Mr. Zack Yohana K., from the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Investment, outlined the scheme’s benefits, describing it as a tool to assess the market, enhance traders’ competitiveness, reduce export costs, and provide access to government export grants.
Mrs. Chioma Chudi-Anaukwu of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and Mrs. Kadiri Haleemat of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), noted that compliance with SON and NAFDAC standards is mandatory to qualify for ETLS, stressing that substandard products would be rejected.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks from Amb. O. E. Ewe, Head of the ECOWAS Unit and newly appointed Permanent Member of ECOWAS, Nigeria. He commended participants for their interest in ETLS and in promoting regional trade.
Participants at the workshop expressed enthusiasm for the program.
Marvellous Ugochukwu, a 300-level Business Management student at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, who spoke to PACESETTER said,
“It is very relevant to my course, International Business Management. It was more like a recap, and I got to understand that you don’t have to be a manufacturer to register with ETLS and obtain the necessary documents and other associated benefits.”
Entrepreneur Mrs. Egwu Obiageli Chizoba described the workshop as “very impactful. I have attended similar summits and programs, but this one is different. We hope it will yield results beyond our expectations.”
PACESETTER reports that the event attracted attendees from Federal Ministries, the Enugu State Executive Council, local government chairmen, policymakers, entrepreneurs, business and trade experts, and students who participated in discussions on how to leverage ETLS.