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Nigeria loses out as Volkswagen takes auto assembly plant to Egypt
Nigeria loses out as Volkswagen takes auto assembly plant to Egypt
Volkswagen Group Africa has signed an agreement with the Government of Egypt for the construction and utilisation of the Body Shop and Assembly plant, which will be located within the East Port Said Automotive Zone (EPAZ).
With the new Volkswagen-Egypt deal, Nigeria initially positioned and promised to get the automaker’s assembly plant has lost out.
According to a Transport Day’s report, the new development is coming at a time that the Volkswagen of Nigeria auto assembly line run by Stallion Motors has remained moribund as there have been no activities for years now.
The Volkswagen showroom located in Victoria Island, Lagos, and owned by Stallion Motors, is virtually empty. And there have been no new Volkswagen model launch in years in the local market.
At a Nigeria Auto Industry Summit held in Lagos last Thursday, many experts and players said the nation’s automotive sector would not grow without the signing into law the Nigeria Auto Industry Development Plan which was already approved by the Federal Executive Council.
The new Volkswagen assembly plant agreement was signed by the Chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone, Waleid Gamal Eldien, Chief Executive Officer of the Sovereign Fund of Egypt; Ayman Soliman, Vice President of the East Port-Said Development Company; Dr Ahmed Fikry and Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA), Martina Biene in the presence of the Prime Minister of Egypt, Dr Mostafa Madbouly.
The signing ceremony which took place during the first day of the Egypt-EU Investment Conference hosted in Cairo on 29-30 June 2024, was also witnessed by Dr Mohamed Shaker El-Markabi, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy; Eng. Tarek El-Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Dr Hala El-Saeed, Minister of Planning and Economic Development; Dr Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation; and Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Trade.
In June 2022, the Government of Egypt announced the introduction of the Automotive Industry Development Programme (AIDP), which aims to foster the local value addition, increase vehicle production volume, boost and attract investment, and improve emission standards in the automotive sector.
The Government of Egypt aims to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to construct the buildings for the Body Shop and Assembly Line.
Volkswagen Group Africa has expressed interest to utilise these facilities to assemble vehicles for the Egyptian market, after the successful completion of the feasibility study and its findings confirming viability.
Biene said, “The new strategic co-operation agreement with the Government of Egypt offers Volkswagen Group Africa an asset-light investment model, which shifts the investment focus from capital expenditure to operational expenditure.
“The agreement also presents Volkswagen Group Africa with the opportunity to progress its long-term plans to establish its presence in Egypt. Furthermore, Volkswagen is emboldened by the willingness of the Government of Egypt to explore an ingenious approach to realise the viability of the feasibility study. We are fully committed to working with the Government of Egypt to make this project viable.”
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Auto
OMAA Unveils Three CNG, Electric Buses, Offers 48-Month Vehicle Finance
OMAA Unveils Three CNG, Electric Buses, Offers 48-Month Vehicle Finance
…Introduces ₦890,000 monthly payment plan as Nigerian mobility firm marks sixth anniversary
Nigerian vehicle and energy company, OMAA, has unveiled three passenger vehicle models in compressed natural gas (CNG) and battery-electric variants, alongside a financing scheme offering repayment periods of up to 48 months to help transport operators and corporate organisations expand their fleets.
The new models — OMAA U3 minibus, K7 bus and V12 high-capacity city bus — are designed to serve different segments of the passenger transport market, from urban shuttles and institutional transport to large-scale mass transit operations.
The announcement, which coincides with the company’s sixth anniversary, also marks the introduction of OMAA Finance, a programme developed in partnership with Nigerian financial institutions to ease the burden of upfront vehicle acquisition costs.
Under the scheme, advertised monthly payments start from ₦890,000 for the OMAA U3 minibus, with an initial deposit of 10%. Financing terms, however, will depend on eligibility requirements, repayment tenure and the customer’s equity contribution.
The company has also opened pre-orders for the three models, giving prospective buyers the option of choosing between CNG and battery-electric powertrains according to their routes, operating costs and access to the necessary energy infrastructure.
Speaking on the development, OMAA’s Managing Director, Chinedu Oguegbu, said the launch reflected the company’s commitment to local automotive manufacturing and the expansion of cleaner, more affordable transport solutions.
“Six years ago, we set out to demonstrate that commercial vehicles could be assembled in Nigeria and powered by cleaner, more affordable energy. Today, the introduction of the OMAA U3, K7 and V12 in both CNG and electric variants, alongside our vehicle financing programme, represents another significant step towards that vision,” Oguegbu said.
He explained that the company’s objective extended beyond supplying vehicles to helping operators manage running costs, access after-sales support and build sustainable transport businesses.
“By combining locally supported servicing, parts availability and structured financing, we are creating opportunities for schools, hospitals, corporate organisations and mass transit operators to expand their fleets with greater confidence,” he added.
Three models target different market segments
The new lineup covers a broad range of passenger transportation needs.
The OMAA U3 is a 12-to-15-seater minibus designed for urban and intercity transport operators, institutional shuttle services and businesses requiring compact passenger vehicles.
The K7, with a capacity of 23 to 30 passengers, targets staff transportation, school bus services, corporate fleets and medium-capacity passenger routes.
The V12, the largest of the three models, is configured to accommodate between 43 and 70 passengers. It is designed for mass transit operators and businesses serving routes with high passenger demand.
All three models are offered in CNG and battery-electric configurations, allowing fleet owners to evaluate alternative powertrains based on fuel or electricity costs, vehicle utilisation, maintenance requirements and access to refuelling or charging facilities.
The dual-powertrain strategy comes as transport operators increasingly explore ways to manage energy expenses and improve the economics of commercial vehicle operations.
Special-purpose vehicles broaden applications
Beyond passenger buses, OMAA is offering special-purpose vehicle configurations based on the same platforms.
The options include cargo vans, ambulances, VIP transport vehicles and airport shuttles, extending the potential applications of the company’s vehicle range to logistics, healthcare, corporate mobility and airport transportation.
The use of common vehicle platforms could also help fleet owners streamline maintenance, spare-parts management and technical training, particularly where organisations operate different vehicle configurations.
Finance scheme targets high acquisition costs
OMAA Finance is a central component of the company’s strategy to lower the barriers to commercial vehicle ownership.
By spreading acquisition costs over repayment periods of up to four years, the programme is intended to help operators preserve working capital while expanding or renewing their fleets.
The advertised starting monthly payment of ₦890,000 for the U3, subject to a 10% initial deposit, provides an entry point for prospective buyers. The actual cost of financing will depend on the applicable terms, including the vehicle price, deposit, interest and other charges, where applicable.
The company is also promoting a total cost of ownership (TCO) approach, which considers not only the purchase price but also energy consumption, servicing, spare parts and other expenses incurred throughout a vehicle’s operating life.
According to OMAA, the combination of structured financing, local servicing support and spare-parts availability is intended to help customers plan operating expenses and make more informed fleet investment decisions.
However, the potential savings will vary according to the vehicle selected, financing conditions, energy prices, mileage, maintenance costs and the availability of suitable CNG refuelling or electric charging infrastructure.
Six years of operations
Headquartered in Umunya, Anambra State, with offices in Lagos, Abuja and Accra, OMAA operates in Nigeria and Ghana, serving fleet operators, institutions and businesses.
The latest launch builds on the company’s six-year operating history and its efforts to combine local vehicle assembly, alternative energy solutions and financing options in the commercial mobility market.
For transport operators contending with rising operating expenses and the high cost of fleet expansion, the new models and financing arrangements offer additional options for acquiring passenger vehicles.
The initiative’s long-term impact, however, will depend on the vehicles’ performance under local operating conditions, the accessibility and affordability of financing, reliable after-sales support and the availability of the infrastructure required to sustain CNG and electric mobility.
With the latest unveiling, OMAA is seeking to position itself beyond vehicle supply, offering an integrated commercial mobility proposition that combines vehicle acquisition, alternative energy choices, maintenance support and financing.
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Auto
FG Moves to Expand CNG Vehicle Production, Targets Cheaper Transport Fares
FG Moves to Expand CNG Vehicle Production, Targets Cheaper Transport Fares
The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s automotive industry and promote more affordable transportation through collaboration with local vehicle manufacturers, following visits to two manufacturing facilities in Anambra State.
Board members of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) inspected the facilities of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) in Nnewi and Kojo Motors Auto Assembly in Umunya to assess their production capacity, identify operational challenges and explore ways to support indigenous manufacturers.
The visit comes amid the Federal Government’s drive to expand the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles as alternatives to petrol-powered transportation, with the aim of reducing operating costs and making public transport more affordable.
The manufacturers welcomed the government’s new policy directing ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to patronise locally manufactured vehicles, saying it could increase demand for their products and strengthen domestic production.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, had issued a circular directing government establishments to purchase vehicles from local manufacturers.
Managing Director of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, said he was encouraged by the government’s emphasis on CNG, describing the fuel as an important option for sustaining Nigeria’s automotive industry amid rising petrol and diesel costs.
Chukwuma disclosed that the company had dedicated its newest large-scale facility to producing CNG-powered trucks and electric vehicles.
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He said wider adoption of CNG could help lower transportation and operating costs while supporting local industrial growth and creating employment opportunities.
The industrialist also called for stronger backward integration in the automotive sector, arguing that manufacturers should focus on producing components that Nigeria has the capacity to manufacture competitively.
At the Umunya facility, the executive director of Kojo Motors, Chinedu Oguegbo, said the company was concentrating on commercial vehicles designed for Nigeria’s transport needs.
He said the company had begun benefiting from the government’s local vehicle procurement policy but had faced challenges arising from the sharp depreciation of the naira and exchange-rate fluctuations.
Oguegbo added that the company was developing its natural gas facility, which he expected to become operational in the future. He also expressed optimism that the company’s Omma Bus brand could eventually be exported to international markets.
NADDC Director-General Oluwemimo Joseph said the inspection was intended to give the council first-hand knowledge of the challenges confronting local vehicle manufacturers.
He explained that the council was reviewing existing policies and working on proposed legislation to improve the operating environment for the industry.
According to him, information gathered during the visits would help the council develop measures to address manufacturers’ concerns and identify vehicle components that could be produced locally.
Joseph said Nigeria had numerous small and medium-sized enterprises capable of supplying components to the automotive industry, adding that stronger partnerships could create new business opportunities and reduce dependence on imported parts.
He also acknowledged concerns about the effect of imported used vehicles on local manufacturers, noting that the council was considering measures to address the competitive disadvantages faced by domestic producers.
NADDC Chairman, Chief Emma Eneukwu, said the council was advocating legislation to protect local vehicle manufacturers from the influx of imported used cars.
He argued that local producers needed a more supportive policy environment to compete effectively and expand production.
The Federal Government’s broader CNG and electric mobility programme is designed to reduce transport costs by encouraging the deployment of vehicles powered by alternative energy sources. However, the impact on passenger fares will depend on the availability of vehicles, refuelling infrastructure, operating costs and the extent to which transport operators pass savings on to commuters.
The Anambra visits form part of efforts to strengthen local manufacturing, encourage investment and improve the availability of vehicles for Nigeria’s public transportation system. While the collaboration could support cheaper transport over time, the visits did not announce a specific new fare reduction or implementation timetable.
FG Moves to Expand CNG Vehicle Production, Targets Cheaper Transport Fares
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Auto
Electric Mobility: Spiro Unveils Expansion Plan, Names Nigeria New MD
Electric Mobility: Spiro Unveils Expansion Plan, Names Nigeria New MD
Spiro, Africa’s leading electric mobility company, is stepping up plans to expand its footprint in Nigeria, strengthen its battery-swapping infrastructure and deepen partnerships to make electric motorcycles more accessible and affordable to riders.
The company unveiled the growth strategy at the second edition of its Media Connect event in Lagos, where it formally introduced its new Country Head and Managing Director, Mr Prasad Sane, who will lead its operations and expansion drive in the country.
Sane said Spiro would consolidate its presence in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states while exploring opportunities to extend its operations to additional markets, as it seeks to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable transportation.
The event brought together journalists covering business, technology, mobility and sustainability to discuss the company’s progress, infrastructure development and long-term ambitions for Nigeria’s electric mobility market.
Addressing the gathering, Sane said the company was moving beyond the deployment of electric motorcycles to building an integrated mobility ecosystem designed to improve riders’ earnings, reduce operating costs and create economic opportunities.
“Today is about progress, partnership and purpose. A year ago, we shared our vision for electric mobility in Nigeria. Today, we are demonstrating tangible results and a clear path forward,” he said.
He added that his mandate was to make Spiro one of the most trusted, affordable and accessible electric mobility solutions for Nigerians, beginning with its existing focus markets.
“My mandate is simple: to make Spiro the most trusted, affordable and accessible electric mobility solution for Nigerians, beginning with Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.
“We are moving beyond electric bikes to build a complete ecosystem centred on our promise of ‘Energy on the Move’,” Sane stated.
A major pillar of the company’s strategy is its battery-swapping technology, which allows riders to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in under a minute, reducing downtime and eliminating the need to wait for conventional recharging.
According to Sane, the model offers riders an alternative to rising fuel and maintenance costs while supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve the economics of commercial motorcycle operations.
“Electric mobility is no longer the future. It is the present, and Nigeria is poised to lead the transition,” he said.
Under its expansion plan, Spiro intends to accelerate the deployment of battery-swapping stations and service centres across Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states to improve accessibility, operational efficiency and customer support.
The company also plans to extend its geographical reach beyond the three states, bringing its electric motorcycles and related services to more Nigerian markets.
Another priority is strengthening partnerships with financial institutions, logistics companies and rider communities to improve access to electric motorcycles and its Battery-as-a-Service solutions.
The approach is expected to support wider adoption by riders who may face financial barriers to acquiring electric motorcycles outright, while helping businesses explore cleaner and potentially more cost-effective transportation options.
Spiro also plans to scale up local assembly operations, technical training and after-sales support, with a focus on creating employment opportunities, particularly for young Nigerians and women.
The company said the measures would help strengthen its operational capacity while developing local skills and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s electric mobility ecosystem.
The Media Connect event featured live product demonstrations and operational showcases, alongside the unveiling of the Spiro Ekon M1 Version 3, highlighting the company’s efforts to develop its electric motorcycle offerings for the Nigerian market.
Spiro, which received the West Africa Sustainable Award (WASA), is positioning its expansion around electric motorcycles and battery-swapping infrastructure as it seeks to contribute to the growth of sustainable mobility across Nigeria.

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