West Africa Poised for an Industrial Renaissance: WA- IMT Summit to Drive Policy, Capital, and Innovation
Across West Africa, a new industrial landscape is emerging, driven by established manufacturing and processing sectors alongside advancements in innovation, digitisation, and next-generation industries. In Nigeria, the incoming National Industrial Policy (NIP) places technology adoption, equipment financing, and digitised manufacturing at the heart of economic transformation. At the same time, innovative industries such as large-format 3D printing and gas-fuelled manufacturing are gaining traction: for instance, RusselSmith’s partnership to deploy industrial-grade additive manufacturing in Nigeria and across West Africa is opening new value-chain opportunities in energy, maritime, construction, and defence industries.
Within the wider region, economies are also advancing ambitious industrial upgrade programmes. Senegal is moving ahead with the development of a second refinery as part of its strategy to expand domestic processing capacity and improve energy security. In Ghana, the economy grew by 6.3% in Q2 2025, according to Government Statistician Alhassan Iddrisu, one of the country’s strongest quarterly performances in recent years. Complementing this growth, a landmark agreement to develop a US$5 billion fertiliser hub and related industrial activity underscores the country’s deliberate efforts to onshore critical inputs and strengthen its agro-industrial manufacturing base.
These developments reflect a broader regional dynamic, where governments, investors and business leaders are moving away from purely extractive models to industrialisation anchored in technology, regional integration and sustainable value-creation. To capture this momentum and and create room for broader stakeholder participation, dmg Nigeria events, in partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, has confirmed that the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade (West Africa IMT) Summit & Exhibition, themed “Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity,” will now hold from 3 – 5 March 2026 at the Landmark Centre, Lagos.
The West Africa IMT Summit will serve as a platform to examine how regional policy shifts translate into new industrial opportunities, cross-border supply chain integration, and private-sector partnerships.
Speaking on the region’s progress and the role of the Summit, Wemimo Oyelana, Portfolio Director – Africa and Country Director – Nigeria at dmg events, commented: “The next chapter of West Africa’s industrial growth will be shaped by innovation in areas such as advanced manufacturing, gas-based production, technology adoption, and stronger policy alignment. West Africa IMT is designed to serve as the central platform for shaping the region’s industrial transformation, setting strategic priorities, and defining the industry agenda. We are convening industry leaders, policymakers, innovators and investors to turn ideas, reforms, and emerging technologies into real industrial outcomes across the region”
At West Africa IMT 2026, industry leaders, policymakers, stakeholders, and investors will gain firsthand insights into the region’s fast-evolving industrial landscape and the opportunities driving sustainable growth. Through high-level discussions, technical sessions, and strategic networking, delegates will explore emerging investment frontiers, policy frameworks, and cross-border collaboration models that can accelerate manufacturing competitiveness across West Africa.
From Nigeria’s technology-enabled industrial reforms, to Senegal’s expansion in refining, Ghana’s agro-industrial investments, and the region-wide rise of advanced manufacturing, West Africa is ready for its next industrial leap. The West Africa IMT summit will serve as a launchpad, where policy, project sponsors, and private capital converge to accelerate tangible manufacturing outcomes for West Africa.
For further information about West Africa IMT 2026, please visit https://www.westafricaimt.com/
About the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade Summit and Exhibition 2025
Endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and organised by dmg Nigeria events, the West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing & Trade (West Africa IMT) Summit and Exhibition serves as a pivotal platform uniting regional and international industry stakeholders to drive the region's industrialisation journey. West Africa IMT will attract the comprehensive industrialisation ecosystem, including: regional and international governments, regulators, manufacturers, financiers, energy producers, technology solution providers and supply chain/logistics providers. Together, they will engage, collaborate and form partnerships to achieve the region’s industrialisation objectives. West Africa IMT Summit & Exhibition will serve as a catalyst to align regional objectives with global sustainable development goals, paving the way for the emergence of a progressive industrial hub for West Africa.
For more information, please visit www.westafricaimt.com
About dmg events
dmg events is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT), an international portfolio of information, media and events businesses. DMGT manages a diverse, multinational portfolio of companies, with total revenues of around £1 billion, that provide businesses and consumers with compelling information, analysis, insight, events, news and entertainment. Its venture capital business, dmg ventures, holds minority stakes in early-stage businesses and focuses particularly on disruptive consumer media propositions.
Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, since 1989, with offices in Canada, Egypt, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and the UK. dmg events is an international exhibition, conference and intelligence company, attracting more than 1,000,000 attendees to a portfolio of over 80 events each year. This global portfolio works closely with key stakeholders across the industry to facilitate pragmatic dialogue, serving as a platform for the latest discussions at the forefront of change.
For more information on dmg events, visit: https://www.dmgevents.com/
About dmg Nigeria events
dmg Nigeria events is an indigenous industry leader in organising and delivering innovative strategic and technical conferences, exhibitions and seminars for the energy industry. Over the last 25 years, dmg Nigeria events has brought together the top echelon of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, including presidents, ministers, heads of government agencies and CEOs. Senior industry stakeholders annually convene for the opportunity to hear new policy announcements, deliberate challenges, explore solutions and explore investment opportunities. The team behind dmg Nigeria events comprises experts with diverse skills and backgrounds across government relations, energy publishing, project and event management, marketing, research, and sales.
