Udeh Advocates for Local Manufacturing at ARMS 2026

Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, called for a significant transition from exporting unprocessed raw materials to technology-driven local manufacturing. He made this statement during the keynote address at the second edition of the Africa Raw Materials Summit 2026 (ARMS) held in Abuja on October 19, 2026.

The summit's theme was “From African Feedstock to African Factory.” Udeh emphasized that Africa's industrial transformation relies on converting natural resources into high-value products and sustainable jobs. He advocated for a knowledge-driven industrial economy supported by collaboration among government, research institutions, manufacturers, and investors.

Udeh highlighted the importance of investment in research, modern processing technologies, and effective academia-industry partnerships. Senator John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, and Senator Aminu Iya Abbas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, also spoke on the need for collaboration and support for local manufacturing.

Ambassador Philibat Johnson from UNIDO discussed sustainable industrial development.