The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has urged West African states to consider a refined automotive policy for the growth and development of the industry.

The Director-General of NADDC, Joseph Osanipin, made the call at the West Africa Automotive Show (WAAS) 2025 in Lagos.

Osanipin was represented by Assistant Director, Policy, Planning and Statistics Department, NADDC, Abubakar Gummi.

Osanipin said a refined policy would benefit the region by creating a larger competitive market for automotive production, promoting regional value chain and specialisation.

“It will also help in developing regional standards and regulations, including those for electric vehicles, and making a greater impact in adopting environmentally friendly vehicle technologies,” he said.

He said the way forward in achieving the goals was to strengthen collaboration between the government, the private sector and the civil society.

“We must develop dynamic policies supporting both ICE vehicles and EVs, invest in infrastructure for those with big needs of EVs, promote research and development in automotive technology.

“We should enhance skill development and training for automotive workers, facilitate access to finance and automotive enterprises, promote public awareness about the benefits of EVs and alternative foils,” he said.
He said the reward in terms of economic growth, job creation, environmental sustainability, and reduced carbon footprint would be immense.

“By adopting sound policies, promoting inter-African trade, and leveraging our natural resources, we can create a sustainable industry that serves our people and contributes to regional prosperity.

“This includes embracing the shift towards electric vehicles and building an advanced ecosystem to support their adoption and production,” he said.

During the panel, Deputy Managing Director, CFAO Mobility, Kunle Jaiyesimi, listed barriers to EV vehicle adoption in Nigeria, including electricity.

“CFAO Mobility does not rely on electricity but makes use of solar and takes advantage of a partnership with an electric vehicle manufacturing company,” Jaiyesimi said.

Director of Transport Technology Centre, Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Joshua Ojeleye, said: “Government coming up with this is a welcome development, it also aligns with the Nigerian energy policy of providing sources that do not pollute the environment.”

Head, Ghana Automotive Centre, Kojo Annobil, noted that Ghana had seven assembly plants and 15 brands, adding that this was achieved through the incentives given by the government.

Annobil called for deliberate efforts in training people that would help to sustain the adoption of CNG and EVs vehicles.

Chief Executive Officer, Pi-CNG, Michael Oluwagbemi, described the EVs and CNG initiative as a direct response of President Bola Tinubu to the resultant hardship due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

Oluwagbemi, represented by the Special Project Advisor, Pi-CNG, Olayinka Rufai, noted that there was a tremendous number of incentives given by the government to promote the usage of CNG and others.

“Government gave kits to the most impacted, the commercial drivers, credit was made available, also focused on capacity development and good quality of the kits,” he said.