South Africa’s automotive components manufacturers target Nigeria

South Africa’s National Association of Automotive Components and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM), has indicated interest in supporting automotive manufacturing in Africa, particularly Nigeria.

The group during a visit to the country recently, said it would assist the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to work out the right economies of scale and technology to get the industry where it deserves to be.

Component manufacturers have reaffirmed their determination to support initial focus on Nigeria, Kenya, Algeria and Ethiopia.

NAACAM envoys, led by Managing Director of Shatterprufe, who also is the President, NAACAM, Dave Coffey, said the group was in the country to invest in Nigeria’s nascent automotive industry.

He said: “We see a journey taking place in the country’s automotive programme and we’ve got a number of component manufacturers working under the banner of African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) willing to come to Nigeria to partner and invest.”

This is following an earlier visit by AAAM, led by its President Jeff Nemeth, to discuss sector issues with President Muhammadu Buhari and top government functionaries as well as relevant agencies including representatives of the National Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA).

“Our ultimate objective is to grow with the Nigerian market and essentially work out the right economies of scale and technology to get the industry where it deserves to be. We are not here just to trade but to explore other suppliers and partner with producers with current equipment.” Coffey said.

Adding that component manufacturing is a fundamental subsidiary of automotive manufacturing, Coffey said: “As component manufacturers, we don’t have to wait for legislation to register our presence in a country with huge potential as Nigeria. Hence, the reason why we think the time to enter this market is now and we are here to partner local manufacturers, add value, supply the local aftermarket needs and position ourselves to support the growth of new vehicle production.”