The stage is set for the business community in the south east geopolitical zone to partake in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) workshop.
The workshop is scheduled to hold in Enugu State on Tuesday, 28 October 2025.
The ETLS is a trade instrument established in 1979 by the ECOWAS as a cornerstone for regional integration within the region.
The Scheme was established to promote intra-regional trade and allows for duty-free access to markets for products certified as origination within the ECOWAS region.
According to the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Eze, the effective implementation of the scheme aims to reduce dependency on imports, encourage entrepreneurship and significantly promote job creation.
He noted that since inception of the Scheme, Nigeria accounts for 36.1% of the total number of the registered companies in the region. The number of registered companies in Nigeria are 3,146; while the number of products stand at fairly over 6000. In 2024 alone, 800 companies and 419 products were registered.
Despite its great promise,the statement however noted that the ETLS remains underutilized as many stakeholders including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), traders, as well as the public sector are unaware of the Scheme, its benefits, eligibility criteria, and implementation processes.
"The objective of the ETLS Sensitization programme in Enugu is to promote understanding on the ETLS and to engage targeted stakeholders on how best to leverage on the scheme.
"Specifically, the programme will create awareness to inform key stakeholders of ETLS and its benefits such as duty-free access and the elimination of non-tariff barriers.
"The capacity building workshop will provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the rules of origin, certification processes, and the eligibility criteria required to benefit from the scheme.
"This will improve compliance, to guide stakeholders on ETLS documentation, proper submission of the Certificate of Origin, and to encourage adherence to ECOWAS regulation."
The statement said it will further increase rise in intra-ECOWAS trade, particularly among SMEs and informal trades.
The ministry notes that the processing of ETLS application in Nigeria is free.
Organised by the ECOWAS National Unit of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Enugu State Government, the invited stakeholders include entrepreneurs, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators, members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
Women in Business, exporters club, Agro and allied processors and the entire organized private sector in the South East are also expected at the one-day workshop on the theme: “Increasing Intra-regional Trade through ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme."
Enugu State Governor, Barr. Peter Mbah, is the Chief Host, while the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu hosts the event at the International Conference Centre, Independence Layout, Enugu by 9.00am.
The ministry urged the Southeast business community to come and get information on how to export their products duty-free to West African countries.