•Engr Mansur Ahmed, PAMA President
The Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA) says Africa’s manufacturing sector needs more than factories and investment to compete globally.
“It also requires strong Business Membership Organisations (BMOs) that connect manufacturers with policymakers, markets, finance, technology and business partners,” said Engr Mansur Ahmed, PAMA President.
In a position document highlighting the place of BMOs in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Engr Ahmed , noted that BMOs have a crucial role in helping businesses overcome regulatory barriers, access market intelligence and participate in regional value chains.
In Nigeria, the following BMOs serve the industrial sector of the economy:
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)., Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI); Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA); Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprise ( NASME), including the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) , Nigeria Economic Summit Group ( NESG), etc.
From Advocacy to Industrial Growth
According to the PAMA President, BMOs serve as a bridge between businesses and governments, aggregating industry concerns and presenting evidence-based recommendations on policies affecting production, investment and trade.
He said : “Through research, industry surveys and policy dialogue, they can help address constraints that undermine manufacturing competitiveness.
Their effectiveness, however, depends on credible representation, reliable industry data and sustained engagement with policymakers.
Building Regional Connections
Manufacturing increasingly depends on cross-border supply chains, making cooperation between national, regional and continental industry associations essential.
PAMA expects manufacturers to coordinate advocacy, exchange knowledge, develop partnerships and promote industrial development.
The Federation of West African Manufacturers Associations (FEWAMA) similarly supports regional cooperation among manufacturers in West Africa.
These platforms can help businesses identify suppliers, customers and investment opportunities across borders while supporting efforts to strengthen African manufacturing value chains.
Turning AfCFTA Opportunities into Business
Although AfCFTA offers access to a larger continental market, manufacturers still face challenges involving infrastructure, financing, logistics, product standards and regulatory differences.
BMOs can help bridge these gaps through market intelligence, capacity-building programmes, business networking and engagement with development finance institutions.
Such support can help manufacturers expand beyond domestic markets and increase local value addition.
A Stronger Institutional
FrameworkAfrica’s manufacturing ambitions require BMOs to move beyond traditional representation and become more active partners in industrial development.
Governments and development partners should strengthen public-private dialogue, improve access to industry data and support programmes that build the capacity of business organisations.
In return, BMOs must provide credible industry intelligence, coordinate business interests and deliver practical value to their members.
Ultimately, Africa needs institutions that connect industrial policy with the realities of production.
PAMA remains committed to strengthening cooperation among African manufacturers’ associations and working with governments, regional institutions and development partners to build a more competitive, integrated and resilient manufacturing sector.”
