Lured by modern manufacturing capacity, outsourcing is discouraging investment in local capacity and innovation, slowing the industrial development of the region.

Those we talked to in Aba complained about operating with limited access to modern machinery and technology, relying heavily on imported equipment and materials.

As the demand for China-made goods grows, local manufacturers lose the confidence of loyal consumers.

Several manufacturers rely on these local patronages and government contracts to sustain their businesses.

These complaints do not take into account the constant raid by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The Adverse Effects of Outsourcing

Importers who run large Lagos and Onitsha markets bypass Aba manufacturers and order directly from Chinese factories on Alibaba or through intermediaries.

Outsourcing stifles local industry growth, costs jobs, and increases dependency. Even worse, sometimes what’s imported is substandard or not suited for local use.

Aba Export Lab

The Aba Export Lab, a 6-month capacity building program aimed a empowering local entrepreneurs to access international marketscould provide the much-needed hope for manufacturers in Aba. However, it is important to manage all the facets of the initiative to harness Aba’s ingenuity and craftsmanship for sustainable economic growth.