Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Champions Regional Economic Integration at ETLS Sensitization Workshop in Enugu, Nigeria.
By Raymond Enoch
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to deepening regional economic integration and empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS). She made this known during her opening remarks at the ETLS Sensitization Workshop held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, on Tuesday, 28th October, 2025.
In her address, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the strategic importance of the ETLS in promoting intra-regional trade and strengthening West Africa’s economic foundation. According to her, the scheme—being the oldest operational trade policy of ECOWAS—serves as a vital instrument for free movement of goods and services and as a precursor to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Minister lauded the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his administration’s foresight and commitment to economic growth, noting that Enugu’s leadership in fostering innovation aligns perfectly with ECOWAS’ vision of inclusive regional prosperity.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized that the choice of Enugu for the workshop was deliberate and symbolic, given the State’s emergence as a beacon of enterprise and innovation in Nigeria’s South-East region. She described SMEs as the “engine room of the economy,” stressing that strengthening local businesses to compete regionally was key to unlocking Nigeria’s full economic potential within the ECOWAS bloc.
“For Nigeria, as the largest economy in the region, leadership in this process is not optional—it is expected,” she stated. “But our true success will be measured by how effectively we enable our entrepreneurs, traders, and manufacturers to transcend local boundaries and thrive in the West African market.”
She further called on participants to seize the opportunity of the workshop to network, share insights, and acquire practical knowledge on the benefits and processes of the ETLS. The Minister reiterated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ ongoing commitment to economic diplomacy, assuring that the Federal Government would continue to collaborate with ECOWAS and other relevant agencies to facilitate trade and regional growth.
“As we open this workshop, let us be reminded that regional integration is not an abstract idea—it is about people, jobs, markets, and opportunities. It is about transforming promises into tangible benefits for every Nigerian entrepreneur,” she concluded.
