Segun Ajayi-Kadir says value addition and local production are key to unlocking Africa’s economic potential, as Ogun emerges as a manufacturing powerhouse…..
Africa’s path to sustainable economic growth lies not in exporting raw materials, but in building the capacity to process them locally, according to the Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir.
Speaking during a tour of Coleman Technical Industries Limited’s facility in Sagamu, Ogun State, Ajayi-Kadir stressed the urgency for African nations to embrace backward integration and deepen value addition across key sectors. He noted that while the continent is richly endowed with natural resources, the lack of processing capacity continues to limit its economic gains.
“Africa must close the gap in industrial capacity,” he said. “Many countries are resource-rich but are unable to maximise value due to limited local processing. What we see here today reflects the kind of direction the continent should be heading.”
He praised Coleman’s operational model, describing the company as a standout example of how local manufacturing can strengthen supply chains and support broader industrial development. According to him, such investments are critical to building resilient economies and reducing dependence on imports.
Ajayi-Kadir also pointed to Ogun State’s rising profile as an industrial hub, noting that it is increasingly positioning itself as a competitive destination for manufacturing within Africa. He added that companies like Coleman are playing a vital role in this transformation.
The MAN chief highlighted the company’s contributions to Nigeria’s telecommunications and power sectors through its production of cables and wires, noting that infrastructure expansion across the country has been supported by such local investments.
He further emphasized that Coleman’s expansion ambitions across West Africa align with ongoing efforts to promote regional integration and strengthen trade within the continent.
Reiterating the association’s stance, Ajayi-Kadir called for stronger policy support for local manufacturers, including incentives that encourage the consumption of goods produced within Nigeria.
Responding to the visit, Chairman of Coleman Technical Industries Limited, Solomon Onafowokan, expressed appreciation for the engagement, noting that it provided an opportunity to showcase the scale and impact of the company’s operations.
He said the visit allowed stakeholders to gain deeper insight into Coleman’s role in advancing Nigeria’s industrial landscape, particularly through its commitment to innovation and capacity development.
As conversations around Africa’s economic future continue, industry leaders say the focus must remain on building systems that convert raw potential into tangible prosperity starting from within.
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