Nigeria to commence exporting vehicles to African countries

The Director-General of the National Council for Automotive Design and Development (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu, has revealed that several automotive companies in Nigeria are already producing/assembling world-class vehicles for export to African countries.

Aliyu made the revelation while speaking on a panel discussion, moderated by CNN’s Eleni Giokos, at the recently concluded Intra-African Trade Fair, IATF, in Durban, South Africa.

DAILY NIGERIAN reports that IATF is a multinational fair and conference whose aim is to bring together more than 55 African countries to showcase their relevant products and services that would be marketed across the continent.

The NADDC CEO reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to electric vehicles and the overall increase in local vehicle production both for the nation and for exports to other African countries.

According to him, this development would translate into more job creation here at home.

Recall that during the recently concluded COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, Mr Aliyu had told the world that Nigeria was moving towards upgrading gas and electric vehicle manufacturing.

According to the CEO of NADDC, the recent assembly of electric vehicles by the Hyundai Kona EV and the assembly of the OMAA CNG minibus with AutoGas by a division of KOJO Motors are all testimonies of the effort that the country is making in that direction.

Aliyu stressed that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind as nations around the world advance technologically.

He said: “Nigeria is committed to reaching net-zero by 2060, I think that is enough time for us to really develop the necessary alternative solutions for transportation.”

While noting that there are some challenges in the sector, Mr Aliyu stressed that the goal is very achievable.

“Yes, we have challenges, but we will not allow ourselves to be defined by those challenges, they will only define our dreams and aspirations, we must be defined by what we can achieve.

“I think the goal is very achievable, God willing because that gives us enough time to really achieve it, and as I said, we’ve already started. It’s not that Nigeria is waiting until 2050 or 2055 to start, we’ve already started, ”Aliyu added.