The Federal Government has unveiled its industrial growth strategy for 2026, outlining plans to accelerate manufacturing, expand trade, attract investment and strengthen non-oil exports as part of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda. The renewed focus aims to deliver measurable economic outcomes through improved policy implementation, stronger collaboration among agencies and enhanced performance monitoring.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, announced the 2026 priorities during a management retreat involving directors-general, directors and chief executives of agencies under the ministry.
The retreat, themed “From Policy to Performance: Driving Industrial Growth, Trade Expansion and Investment Outcomes,” reviewed the implementation of the Nigeria Industrial Policy (NIP), the country’s first comprehensive industrial framework designed to strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. According to the minister, the meeting focused on evaluating progress under the policy while addressing implementation gaps that have affected previous government initiatives.
“Our immediate responsibility is to convert policy direction into tangible results through effective execution, inter-agency collaboration and rigorous performance monitoring,” Oduwole said.
Highlighting achievements that support the government’s industrial growth strategy, Oduwole said policy coordination across trade, investment and industry delivered encouraging results in 2025.
According to the minister: total capital importation reached approximately $21 billion within the first ten months of 2025, Non-oil exports exceeded $6.1 billion, reflecting continued efforts to diversify Nigeria’s export earnings, Intra-African trade rose to about N4.82 trillion during the first half of 2025 under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
She also disclosed that more than 115,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) benefited from grants, loans and trade finance provided through interventions by the Bank of Industry, NEXIM Bank and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
The minister further revealed that Nigeria successfully completed Africa’s first comprehensive five-year review of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.
She described the achievement as a reflection of Nigeria’s growing leadership in regional trade integration and economic cooperation across the continent. According to Oduwole, progress has continued in 2026 through improved export connectivity, enhanced investment facilitation, stronger intellectual property reforms and expanded support for exporters and manufacturers.
The industrial growth strategy also places emphasis on ongoing trade and investment agreements aimed at opening new export markets and attracting both domestic and foreign investment. Oduwole said the agreements are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s participation in global value chains while creating more opportunities for businesses operating in the manufacturing and export sectors.
The Federal Government says successful implementation of its industrial growth strategy will be central to achieving sustainable economic diversification in 2026. Officials believe stronger execution, coordinated policy delivery and expanded trade partnerships will help increase industrial productivity, attract investment and boost Nigeria’s non-oil economy.
