(Updated) AfCTA: NAMA, MAN worry over Nigeria’s auto industry slow progress

AfCTA: NAMA, MAN worry over Nigeria’s auto industry slow progress 

The Nigeria Automobile Manufacturers  Association (NAMA) and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have expressed dissatisfaction at the slow growth Nigeria’s automotive industry is making compared to some African countries.

This was disclosed when representatives of the newly constituted governing board of NAMA paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday.

The two groups took a critical look at the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA), and wondered why Nigeria should not play that leading role as an automotive hub in on the continent, considering the large population, rich human capital and economic base.

During the visit, the imperative of bolstering local content to complement the sourcing of over 2000 parts in a vehicle was examined and it was agreed that content development would be driven by the appropriate policy environment.

The two groups agreed that there is a need for better synergy between them on how to move Nigeria’s local automotive industry forward.

During the official visit of the board of NAMA led by the Chairman, Bawo Omagbitse of PAN to the MAN House in Ikeja, Lagos, the team sought for the restoration of the cordial relationship that hitherto existed between NAMA and MAN.

The NAMA governing board representatives which include Nunu Diwan of Iron Products Industries Ltd and Remi Olaofe, Executive Director of NAMA, stressed the imperative of the local automotive assemblers to get more involved and visible in MAN’s activities and programmes.

NAMA expressed the hope that going forward, MAN would be vocal on policies relating to the automotive subsector. Being at leadership advocacy position in promoting growth and sustainability of the manufacturing sector, MAN should support the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in canvassing for the enactment of the 2023 NAIDP Bill, which journey started in 2013.

In 2013, the Federal Government unveiled the National Automotive Policy with a view to boosting local vehicle assembly and making the industry competitive.

Ten years down the line, many industry followers and stakeholders are still sceptical that the policy has been a mixed bag of success and failure.

The two groups however noted the nation’s automotive industry had huge potential for growth and massive job creation.