AAAM Urges Nigeria to Enact Automotive Policy for Industry Growth
By Daphne Uduneje
The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) has called on Nigeria to formalize its automotive policy to create a robust framework for sustainable local manufacturing, job creation, and enhanced investor confidence.
Speaking at the second Nigeria Auto Industry Summit, hosted by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) in Lagos, AAAM CEO Victoria Backhaus-Jerling emphasized that without a legislated policy, Nigeria’s auto sector remains exposed to unregulated used vehicle imports, jeoparding its potential for industrialization. “Nigeria has the scale, talent, and entrepreneurial drive to lead Africa’s automotive future,” she said. “What’s needed is clear policy certainty to unlock this potential.” Citing success stories from Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, and South Africa.
Backhaus-Jerling highlighted AAAM’s commitment to partnering with Nigeria to attract investment, enable regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and drive automotive growth. “Africa is the world’s final automotive frontier, and Nigeria is poised to be a powerhouse with the right political will,” she added.
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, represented by Zonal Commanding Officer Ann Oladayo, echoed the summit’s theme, “Nigeria First: Local Content as Catalyst for Automotive Economy,” noting its alignment with national goals for industrialization and sustainability. He reaffirmed the FRSC’s dedication to supporting policies that promote safer vehicle designs, innovative transport technologies, and ethical practices across the automotive value chain.
NAJA Chairman Theodore Opara opened the summit with a passionate plea for a strategic focus on local content development. He lamented the industry’s heavy dependence on imported vehicles and components, such as tyres and brake pads, despite Nigeria’s abundant resources and youthful workforce.
Opara described the summit as a critical platform for stakeholders to forge actionable strategies, noting that recommendations from the previous summit were submitted to the Ministry of Industry, the National Assembly, and the Presidency for action.
The summit showed the urgent need for Nigeria to harness its automotive potential through decisive policy measures and collaborative efforts, positioning the country as a leader in Africa’s emerging auto industry.