‘…Nigeria needs to brace up for new technology in automotive sector’

As this year’s edition of the West Africa Automotive Show (WAAS) ends, organisers of the exhibition are of the opinion that Nigeria needs to brace up for new technologies in the automotive sector.

According to them, it is a positive thing that these technologies are coming to these parts of the world but needs to be embraced as it unfolds.

Drawn from Africa, Asia, America and Europe, the exhibitors at the show came into this year’s exhibition with latest technologies in vehicle spare parts such as lubricants, batteries among others for vehicle owners and auto engineers to adopt for smooth running of their vehicles.

In a chat with The Guardian yesterday, Exhibition Manager, BtoB Events, Ben Dadswell, said: “The reason why we are here is because we know this is the biggest growing economy in West Africa with 20 million people. As time goes by things progress, as technology improves, Nigeria has got to stay ahead, if you don’t you fall behind. It is a positive thing that these technologies are coming to these parts of the world but must be embraced; of course there is a good business for it.”

Speaking on whether Nigeria is ripe for electric vehicles despite its challenges, he said, “With the electric vehicles there are challenges everywhere, even in the United Kingdom where we are based.

“They get more patronage but the stake for people buying it is the battery life and how long it takes to recharge, it is not efficient. In terms of fueling the car, it takes a few seconds, you have to buy half an hour for it to charge. So there are challenges when it comes to electric vehicles everywhere in the world.

“Again overtime, you have got to move with the time where the world is going, and then you need to start implementing that. You get just as ready as anywhere else.”

However, he said the show has recorded great success so far, describing all the exhibitors that have come on board as amazing.

“We have had a good time here with positive feedback. We have prepaid visitors who had access to the three days event, we keep seeing the same faces plus more, which shows this is a powerful exhibition. The exhibitors are very happy with the way things are going.”

Some of the exhibitors described the Nigerian market as very huge, stating that the country’s business environment favours the automotive business due to its population and the large appetite of vehicle owners for quality spare parts.