This week on SAT Interviews, The Southern African Times presents a timely and thought provoking conversation with Segun Ajayi-Kadir, mni, Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. Although the interview was recorded in November 2025 at the Africa Caribbean Sustainable Investment Summit, its relevance has only strengthened as Nigeria and the wider global economy continue to navigate shifting trade dynamics and geopolitical uncertainty in February 2026.
Hosted by Farai Iain Mvuti during the high level summit, the discussion captured a critical moment in Nigeria’s industrial journey. In the months since the recording, many of the themes explored including global protectionism, supply chain realignment, foreign exchange pressures and AfCFTA implementation have continued to dominate economic discourse. The decision to air the interview now reflects the enduring importance of the issues raised.
As Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Ajayi-Kadir represents the collective voice of manufacturers across Africa’s largest economy. The association plays a central role in advocating for industrial reform, improved infrastructure, energy stability and a more competitive production environment. A member of the National Institute, he has become one of the country’s leading voices on the need for production led growth and structured economic transformation.
In the interview, Ajayi-Kadir makes a compelling case that manufacturing must be treated as a national priority. For him, industrial capacity is not simply about economic output but about resilience, employment generation, export diversification and economic sovereignty. He situates Nigeria’s ambitions within the broader global landscape, referencing the lingering effects of Trump era trade policies, renewed economic nationalism in major economies and the restructuring of global supply chains.
The conversation explores how countries with strong domestic production capabilities are better positioned to withstand global volatility, while import dependent economies remain vulnerable during periods of geopolitical tension. For Nigeria, he argues, the path forward lies in deliberate industrial strengthening, regulatory clarity and strategic investment in local capacity.
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the African Continental Free Trade Area. With access to a market of more than 1.3 billion people, AfCFTA presents transformative potential for Nigerian manufacturers. However, participation alone is not enough. Structural challenges such as power supply instability, logistics inefficiencies and high production costs must be addressed if Nigeria is to compete effectively across the continent.
Ajayi-Kadir also highlights the importance of supporting emerging manufacturers and small to medium industrial enterprises. Improving access to finance, encouraging technological modernization and strengthening value chain integration are central to building a sustainable industrial ecosystem.
Viewed from today’s perspective, the interview serves not as a retrospective but as a strategic roadmap. As Africa deepens economic integration and global trade patterns continue to evolve, the insights shared at the Africa Caribbean Sustainable Investment Summit remain directly relevant to Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026.
The full SAT Interview with Segun Ajayi-Kadir is now available to watch at
For readers of The Southern African Times, this conversation offers important perspective on how industrial leadership is responding to both domestic pressures and global change, and what that response could mean for Nigeria’s future and Africa’s broader development trajectory.
