ECOWAS Advances Regional Automotive Industry Development

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming West Africa into a competitive automotive manufacturing hub during the ECOWAS Regional Automotive Industry Development Forum held in Abuja from August 4 to 6. The forum brought together policymakers, manufacturers, development partners, and financial institutions to review the progress of the ECOWAS regional automotive policy framework and strategize on its implementation.

Despite the framework being adopted over a decade ago, ECOWAS noted that implementation has been inconsistent across member states. Currently, West Africa has seven vehicle assembly plants with a combined production capacity exceeding 100,000 vehicles annually.

Dr. Kalilou Sylla, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, emphasized the industry's potential to drive industrialization and create jobs. Senator John Owan Enoh, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, announced that Nigeria would open its automotive quality infrastructure to all ECOWAS members.

Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited, called for stable regulations to boost investor confidence. The forum concluded with a commitment to harmonizing regulations and achieving the target of 50,000 locally assembled vehicles annually by 2028.