Stakeholders in Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing sector have underscored the importance of implementing the right policies and fostering collaborations to propel the sector’s growth and facilitate its transition from import-dependent to production-oriented.
The call was made during a meeting convened by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in Lagos on Thursday, bringing together officials from the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), and NADDC.
Mr. Oluwemimo Osanipin, Director-General of NADDC, highlighted the significance of forging alliances and sharing knowledge to pave the way for increased collaboration among African nations in the automotive industry, particularly in light of the imminent African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Osanipin emphasized Nigeria’s potential to emerge as the automotive hub of West Africa, citing the country’s abundant resources and strategic position. He stressed the need to create a conducive environment for innovation and quality to meet the demands of African consumers.
President of AAAM, Mrs. Martina Biene, emphasized the opportunities inherent in the automotive industry, including meeting local and export demands, generating employment, and boosting the sector’s contribution to GDP. Biene underscored the importance of implementing appropriate policies to support the industry’s growth, particularly in the context of the AfCFTA.
David Coffey, CEO of AAAM, highlighted the progress made by African countries in automobile policy development, urging Nigeria to accelerate the development and implementation of policies to facilitate the transition from vehicle importation to local production. Coffey projected a significant increase in new vehicle demand in Nigeria by 2035 and pledged support for AAAM members interested in manufacturing vehicles and components in Nigeria and across Africa.
Mr. Benneth Ejindu, a Board Member of NAMA, commended the federal government’s commitment to the industry’s holistic development, emphasizing initiatives to determine tariff differentials and qualify assets and activities for assembly classifications.
