African automakers, minister, NADDC DG for June 27 Nigeria industry summit

African automakers, minister, NADDC DG for June 27 Nigeria industry summit

A delegation of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) from South Africa is expected in Nigeria on June 27 this year to attend the maiden edition of the Nigeria Auto Industry Summit (NAISU).

The team will be joined by the Nigeria Association of Automotive Manufacturers (NAMA) team and other leading stakeholders to brainstorm on the sector’s development in the country and by extension Africa.

The organisers of the event, Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), disclosed this in a statement, adding that it would be organised in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).

Scheduled to hold at Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, June 27th, 2024, the summit is envisioned as an annual flagship event of the country’s automotive industry to rally all stakeholders together to explore the great potential in the automotive sector for national development.

It said the maiden edition of the event would be declared open by the Minister of Industries, Trade and investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, under the theme ‘Reviving Nigeria’s Economy through the Automotive Sector’ .

It would have the NADDC Director General, Mr. Joseph Osannipin, as the chief host, it stated.

Commenting on the importance of the summit for the development of the country’s automotive sector, Chairman, organizing committee of NAISU, Femi Owoeye, said, “Initiating this summit is vital, especially at this moment in history, when Nigeria is struggling to map its way out of the prevailing global economic despair.

“Being one of the drivers of the global economy, the automobile industry, if given the necessary impetus in Nigeria, is capable of transforming the country to an automotive manufacturing hub in Africa.

“To this end, Nigeria Auto Industry Summit shall annually produce significant information that would help the government to make it happen.”

On his part, Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma, said, “Significantly, the summit shall bridge the information and communication gap between the nation’s auto industry stakeholders and relevant government agencies.

“Moreover, annually, the summit shall give a single and united voice for the auto industry leaders to set developmental agenda aimed at kick-starting and driving relevant government policies towards a sustainable development of the automotive industry in Nigeria and ultimately position the country as a frontline beneficiary of the African Free Trade Agreement Area.”