ACCI-NPAC Webinar Calls for Coordinated Strategy to Build Nigeria’s New Automotive Economy
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s automotive sector have called for a coordinated policy and investment strategy to make vehicles more affordable, strengthen local manufacturing, and promote cleaner mobility and position Nigeria as a competitive automotive hub in Africa. The call was made at a policy webinar organised by the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC) of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), themed “The New Automotive Economy: Cheaper Cars. Cleaner Mobility. New Investment.”
The 1st Deputy President of ACCI, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, said Nigeria must move beyond dependence on imported vehicles by developing local assembly, component manufacturing, maintenance, technology transfer, financing, charging infrastructure and battery solutions. He noted that the transition to electric mobility presents an opportunity for Nigeria to build new industries and jobs, while leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to serve regional markets.
The Nigeria Customs Service disclosed that recent automotive fiscal reforms reduced the levy on new vehicles from 20 per cent to 10 per cent and used vehicles from 15 per cent to five per cent. Comptroller Muazu Muritala also highlighted a 2–4 per cent green tax on high-emission vehicles above 2,000cc, alongside exemptions for electric, CNG, LPG and locally manufactured vehicles, as well as reduced duties on qualifying components imported by bona fide assemblers and manufacturers.
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) outlined its dual-track strategy for CNG and electric vehicles, including the deployment of solar-powered charging stations in universities, integration of EV design and manufacturing into academic curricula, plans for a 300,000-unit national EV manufacturing plant and efforts to develop local battery manufacturing capacity. Stakeholders also stressed the need to strengthen local content and technical skills to support the emerging automotive ecosystem.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) emphasised the growing importance of digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud services and data protection as vehicles become increasingly connected and software-driven.
Representatives of PiCNG & EV and the Clean Technology Hub called for expanded battery-swapping networks, solar-hybrid charging infrastructure, affordable financing for operators and manufacturers, stronger technical standards and a national green mobility financing framework.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) highlighted the need for effective vehicle and battery standards, testing facilities and enforcement through the Vehicle Compliance Assurance Programme (VCAP), while the Bank of Industry (BOI) expressed readiness to support commercially viable projects through long-term financing and project-preparation facilities. The Electric Mobility Promoters Association of Nigeria (EMPAN) also identified financing, charging infrastructure and access to reliable EV products as critical to achieving mass adoption.
At the end of the webinar, stakeholders agreed on the need for stronger inter-agency coordination, improved access to financing, reliable data, local technical capacity, standards enforcement and sustained policy stability. NPAC Executive Director, Dr Chidiebere Onwumere, said the Centre would consolidate the key recommendations and action points from the dialogue, while ACCI and its partners would continue to promote stakeholder collaboration through initiatives including the forthcoming EcoDrive Conference and Exhibition.
Olayemi John-Mensah
ACCI Media & Strategy Officer
