MANEG moves to help SMEs access export incentives
August 7, 2026 2:14 am
Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group, Ruth Owojaiye
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group has said it will intensify efforts to help local manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, access government-backed export incentives that remain underutilised because of limited awareness of eligibility requirements and application processes.
The group disclosed this while unveiling its 2026/2027 strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s export competitiveness, accelerating manufacturing growth and positioning Made-in-Nigeria products for wider access to African and global markets.
Speaking on the roadmap, the newly appointed Chairman of MANEG, Ruth Owojaiye, said many manufacturers had yet to take advantage of available export incentives due to inadequate knowledge of how to access them.
The group said it would address the gap through industry engagements, knowledge-sharing sessions and practical guidance to help businesses understand and maximise available export opportunities.
“An incentive can only create economic value when businesses understand how to access and deploy it effectively. Our objective is to bridge the gap between policy availability and practical business utilisation,” Owojaiye said.
According to the group, improved awareness and utilisation of export incentives form one of the four pillars of its 2026/2027 strategy, alongside strengthening strategic engagements, improving access to export finance and building export capacity.
Owojaiye said Nigeria had the resources, industrial capacity and entrepreneurial strength to become a leading manufacturing hub in Africa, but stressed that the country must deliberately improve export readiness and competitiveness.
“Nigeria’s manufacturing future must be defined by competitiveness, innovation and global relevance. To achieve this, Nigerian manufacturers must have access to the right policies, incentives, financing, knowledge and partnerships needed to compete successfully beyond our borders,” Owojaiye said.
She said MANEG would deepen collaboration with key government institutions, financial organisations, regional trade bodies and other stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s export ecosystem.
The chairman also identified access to finance as a major obstacle to export growth, noting that manufacturers require funding for technology upgrades, production expansion, international certifications, improved packaging, logistics and market development.
She added that MANEG would prioritise capacity development programmes to equip manufacturers with the skills needed to meet international quality standards, comply with export requirements and compete in global markets.
“The manufacturers that will succeed globally are those that understand market expectations, embrace innovation and continuously improve their processes. Export readiness is a journey of constant learning and transformation,” Owojaiye said.
She said the African Continental Free Trade Area offers Nigerian manufacturers access to a market of more than one billion people but added that businesses must improve product quality and competitiveness to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Owojaiye reaffirmed MANEG’s commitment to working with government, development partners and the private sector to expand non-oil exports and strengthen the global presence of Made-in-Nigeria products.
Arinze Nwafor is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with five years of experience reporting on Nigeria’s economy, industry, data, metro, and judiciary. He focuses on highlighting growth, policy, and market challenges shaping Africa’s largest economy. Arinze’s reporting reflects practical newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a strong commitment to accurate, informative, and audience-focused journalism.
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