The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and cable maker Zobis Cable have promised to strengthen manufacturing in the South-East region, targeting job creation and better competitiveness for local industries.
Both organisations said the push aims to reverse the decline in the region's industrial base and position South-East manufacturers to compete effectively in national and international markets. The pledge came as stakeholders in the manufacturing sector continue to grapple with electricity costs, foreign exchange pressures, and competition from imported goods.
Zobis Cable, a major player in the electrical and telecommunications cable industry, said it plans to expand operations in the South-East and work with local suppliers to build a stronger supply chain. The company currently operates facilities in the region and employs hundreds of workers in production and related services.
The Manufacturers Association said it would facilitate partnerships between large manufacturers and smaller enterprises in the South-East, helping smaller businesses access technology, training, and market information. This collaboration model has worked in other regions and could unlock the South-East's manufacturing potential, the association said.
Manufacturers in the South-East have long complained that they operate at a disadvantage compared to their counterparts in the South-West and Lagos. High transport costs, inconsistent power supply, and limited access to credit have forced some plants to shut down or relocate over the past decade.
The South-East contributes roughly 5 percent of Nigeria's manufacturing output, far below its population share and historical industrial significance. Aba, Onitsha, and Enugu were once vibrant manufacturing hubs before the Biafran War and economic policies shifted investment to Lagos.
Both MAN and Zobis Cable said they would work with state governments in the region to improve infrastructure, particularly roads and power supply. They also plan to engage the Federal Government on tariff policies that affect manufacturing competitiveness.
The organisations will hold a stakeholder meeting in the South-East within the next two months to detail the implementation roadmap and invite other manufacturers to join the initiative.
