Soludo Hosts ECOWAS Delegation, IVM Group, Urges Africans to Embrace Indigenous Industries
By Ifeyinwa Ogwo
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has urged Africans to develop greater confidence in their indigenous industries and locally made products as part of efforts to promote economic growth, stability and development across the continent.
Soludo made the call on Sept. 19, when he received a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd. (IVM) at the Anambra State Lighthouse in Awka.
The Governor said the promotion of indigenous industries remained important to Africa’s economic development, stressing that encouraging foreign companies to establish production facilities within African countries would help strengthen local economies and create opportunities.
He commended IVM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, for demonstrating the capacity of Africans to manufacture vehicles locally, describing the company as an example of what could be achieved through investment in indigenous enterprise.
Soludo said his administration had continued to promote locally made products, citing his personal use of an Innoson vehicle and locally produced fabrics as part of his efforts to encourage Nigerians to patronise indigenous brands.
He said increased patronage of locally produced textiles and other goods could encourage more foreign companies to establish manufacturing plants in Nigeria, thereby supporting local production and economic development.
Former President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, expressed appreciation to the Governor for the warm reception, noting that the visit was his first to Anambra during his four-year tenure, which ran from July 2022 to August 2026.
Touray commended the facilities he encountered at IVM, describing them as an encouragement for Africans to contribute to the development of their respective countries. He also disclosed that ECOWAS would sponsor some individuals for training at the IVM manufacturing facility.
Responding, Chief Innocent Chukwuma thanked Governor Soludo for receiving the delegation and explained that the visit was aimed at formally introducing the ECOWAS delegation to the Governor. He said IVM had maintained partnerships with ECOWAS, including vehicle procurement and training initiatives. Representing the current ECOWAS leadership was the Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Nassirou Bako-Arifari, alongside other officials.
