Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests, Honourable Speakers, and Esteemed Exhibitors,
It is a profound privilege to address you at the opening of the 2025 West Africa Automotive Show at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. As the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Chairman of the Organized Private Sector of Nigeria, I warmly welcome you to this significant gathering.
Today, we come together as key players in the automotive sector, united by our shared mission to drive economic growth and sustainability in West Africa. The theme “Access to Automotive Components and Parts in West Africa” reflects our commitment to enhancing the automotive landscape while addressing the pressing needs of our populace.
This year’s show is indeed remarkable, featuring over 305 exhibitors from more than 70 countries, with notable representations from China, Poland, and India. We are privileged to see innovations from companies such as CFAO, showcasing models like BYD Motors, and Maikano Motors, which have become significant in our automotive narrative. This diverse participation underscores our collective aspiration to embrace change and progress within this vital sector.
Chambers of commerce, like NACCIMA, play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the private sector and government, advocating for policies that foster growth and innovation. Our mission is to create an enabling environment where businesses can thrive. A robust automotive industry drives job creation, technological advancement, and infrastructure development.
As we embark on this journey during WAAS, I urge all of you to actively engage in discussions around government incentives for electric and CNG vehicle adoption, customs challenges, and innovative funding strategies for automotive components. Let us harness this gathering’s momentum to advocate for domestic production policies that enhance access to critical automotive components, thereby bolstering our local economies.
In closing, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the exhibitors, stakeholders, and partners here today. Your commitment to advancing the automotive sector is essential for driving transformative change. Together, let us accelerate progress, embrace innovation, and build a sustainable future for the automotive industry in West Africa.
Thank you, and welcome to the 2025 West Africa Automotive Show!
Dele Kelvin Oye, Esq.
National President, NACCIMA
Chairman, Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN)
