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Tag: Africa

  • Insecurity affects 70 percent of Africa, says expert

    Insecurity affects 70 percent of Africa, says expert

    International Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Security Watch, Mr Patrick Agbambu, has said that over 70 percent of Africa remains affected by various levels of insecurity.

    Agbambu stated this in Abuja while speaking with newsmen on the upcoming 18th edition of Africa Security Watch Award and Conference slated for December in Doha, Qatar.

    He said that insecurity in the continent had resulted in stagnation of development and fears, with too many of the citizens trapped in poverty.

    He said: “It is within this context that we at the Security Watch Africa Initiatives (SWAI) have chosen the theme for the 18th Africa Security Watch Awards & Conference: “Developing Modules for People-Centric Governance towards the Enhancement of Peace and Security in Africa.”

    Agbambu said Lagos Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu and his Borno counterpart, Babagana Zulum, were billed to speak at the event.

    He said Sanwo-Olu would deliver a key paper on the conference theme focusing on Lagos example.

    He added that the theme was carefully chosen to speak directly to the heart of the challenges and set the stage for actionable discussions that would help pave the way for a more peaceful and secure Africa.

    According to him, the foremost responsibility of any government or leadership is to ensure the safety, security and well-being of its citizens.

    He said it was through responsive and people-centred governance that societies can thrive, where policies are crafted with the people in mind, ensuring peace, stability, and security for all.

    Agbambu said: “Sadly, our beloved continent of Africa continues to face significant challenges in this regard.

    “The conference is designed to deliver a practical and insightful solution to various security challenges in Africa with the selection of distinguished keynote speakers, lead paper presenters, and panellists from across the continent and beyond.

    “These esteemed individuals will address critical topics that are pivotal to shaping a secure future for Africa.”

    Agbambu said that 30 personalities, corporate organisations and agencies from across Africa will be awarded with Crystal Award Trophies in recognition of their outstanding contributions to peace and security on the African continent.

    He added: “At Security Watch Africa Initiatives, we believe that security encompasses everything that threatens human lives and valuables, and this is reflected in our award categories.

    “From leadership and governance to the armed forces, police, medical professionals, the media, hospitality, transportation, and humanitarian service honour those who make our continent safer and better.”

    A member of Board of Trustee, Brig.-Gen. Kukasheka Usman, said the choice of Qatar was both symbolic and practical.

    Read Also: Obasanjo urges FG to intensify efforts in combating insecurity

    According to Usman, it exemplifies a country that places immense value on humanity, consistently striving to enhance the quality of life for its people.

    He said: “We believe that participants will experience the best practices in that country and through this experience, we can learn invaluable lessons that can be applied in Africa.

    “In addition, we are bringing some Qatar’s senior government and security officials to engage with our participants and share insights on their approach to security and governance.

    “Most importantly, this event will once again provide a platform to showcase African finest to a global audience.”

  • Housing: Overcoming the finance challenge

    Housing: Overcoming the finance challenge

    Sir: With a population of over 200 million people, Nigeria has been rightly identified as the largest market for real estate in Africa, yet housing shortage is one of the most serious developmental challenges presently confronting the country. There is a shortage of housing for low-income earners and constantly growing housing demands that are not met. Over the years, successive administrations in the country had tinkered with policies in a bid to deliver mass housing, but due to lack of reasonable commitment to it, achieving the goal has remained elusive.

    The major issue is funding, getting appropriate funding for housing projects remained the biggest problem in the sector. The right type of money needed for long term project like housing is not available. Something that can really work for affordable housing can be akin to what the Federal Mortgage Bank offers which cannot go round.

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    We must be able to raise so much of insurance money in this country, though we have at least tried to raise a reasonable amount of pension fund. These are monies that are put into the kind of uses, such as housing anywhere in the world. We should find a way. It’s not enough to just be putting these monies in paper transactions and stock markets,we should find a way by which it can find its way into the real sector. The on-going private sector housing projects are progressing slowly owing to non-availability of funds.

    The problem has remained intractable because our government is not taking housing as an important matter. There is no serious step or programme by the federal government to jump-start activities in the sector.

    Stakeholders and industry operatives have unanimously concluded that the home-ownership regime needs a change of strategy. Innovative thinking would bring about better outcomes that will enhance housing delivery in the country. We just need to take a cue from other countries where the cost of mortgage for first time home buyers are low, with small down payments and easy terms especially, a single digit interest rate.

    Housing policy instrument in the form of legislative changes of laws to reduce the country’s housing deficit must be embraced immediately. There is need for speedy review of the present regulatory and legal framework for delivering cost effective and quality social housing programme.

    •ESV Idehen Edith Judith,Benin.

  • IDG 2024: Advocacy NGO hosts Africa’s girl dialogue on media opportunities

    IDG 2024: Advocacy NGO hosts Africa’s girl dialogue on media opportunities

    Good Governance Africa, a research and advocacy non-profit organisation focused on improving governance across Africa, on October 11, hosted a conference to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child across its centres in the continent.

    The event, brought together in collaboration with Boston Media House and Mail&Guardian, had media experts and young girls from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia in attendance as they discussed the challenges and opportunities facing girls and young women.

    The objective of the conference tagged “Exploring career opportunities in the media sector” was to raise awareness about the career opportunities in the media industry.

    It also featured a diverse range of speakers, including a keynote address by Precious Maputle, a 2023 M&G Power of Women award winner, who inspired the audience to dare to dream.

    Maputle, a talented marketing coordinator, radio and television presenter, and events coordinator, also shared her journey into the media sector and encouraged young women to pursue their aspirations.

    A panel of experts, including Dr Allegro Dinkwanyane from Orgella Group, CNBC’s Sally Sithole, and Dineo Sithole from Urban Brew Studio, provided an overview of the journalism, radio, and television industries. They shared their experiences in the field and offered valuable insights to aspiring professionals.

    GGA Nigeria had over 70 participants gathered at Lekki Centre for the conference and panel section on Gender-Based Violence. The panel discussion which focused in “Girl’s Vision for the Future” was done in collaboration with HeartMinders Initiative, a transformative NGO that has been at the forefront of fighting against GBV, rape and child sexual abuse in Nigeria.

    The panelists include Adeola Kingsley-James, Osayuwamen Saleh, and Zuriel Oloke. It was moderated by Tosin Adisa. Speaking during the panel discussion, Kingsley-James, a therapist said “courage is not the absence of fear but fulfilling dreams regardless of intimidation. Distractions are quick to come but everybody’s journey is unique and valid. As children, we’re faced with ups and downs. But the praise you give yourself is the purest of all praises. There has to be novelty with women.”

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    On her part, Saleh, a media entrepreneur advised the participants to create an idea of what they want for themselves and not what the society wants for them. “One of the biggest things to help you is strong emotional stability. The things that control you are embedded in you. You must be intentional as a girl and not settle for less. You can not take your life with levity. Women are visioners and should dream big.”

    Olowe, a lawyer and emotional healing educator added that vision is an engine that helps to people drive their lives. “You can’t continue to stay in a place that is bad for you. We need you alive,” she told the young girls. Meanwhile, the panellists agreed that empowering girls and young women requires a collaborative effort from civil societies, and the private sector.

    Participants praised the conference for its informative and engaging contents. Many expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect with experts and peers across Africa.

    Speaking with the press, Kalu Esther, one of the participants of the conference and a student of Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls Secondary School said the event was insightful. “I am very proud to be part of the programme. I learnt that I should not limit myself regardless of the situation and never stop trying new things.”

    Another student of Baptist Girls Academy who simply identified herself as Testimony said “I learnt that we should not let fears stand in our ways.”

    Mbah Chiamaka, a 200-level student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) said: “I learnt there’s a lot of potential in me and should be open to making mistakes. The panel discussion really spoke to me and I understand that there’s a lot of potential in me.”

    In his closing remark, the Executive Director of GGA Nigeria, Dr. Oladiran Bello said it was an awesome event with young people and they participated actively. “I hope by doing this, we’ve supported them in someway in assuming that role of nation builders and achieve their dreams. We will be doing this kind of engagement as marathon and we will continue to engage the young girls as they navigate life and seek to achieve their aspirations.”

  • Firm chiefs, leaders seek investment in Africa’s future

    Firm chiefs, leaders seek investment in Africa’s future

    Over 100 African and international chief executives, world leaders and artists have signed the Abidjan Accord, a call to G20 to increase their contributions to IDA, World Bank’s fund to lift 77 developing nations out of poverty.

    This was announcedwas yesterday at the Economic Development Assembly: Advancing Africa’s Future conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

    The Abidjan Accord urges G20 to support Africa’s development by working towards a $120 billion replenishment for International Development Association’s 21st funding round (IDA21) on the best terms possible for the poorest countries, in December.

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    Signatories include representatives from Intel and Cisco, public sector leaders; Heinz Fischer, former president of Austria; Lawrence Summers, former United States Treasury Secretary; Leo Varadkar, former prime minister of Ireland; Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland; and Stefan Lofven, among others.

    Bridgewater Chief Executive Officer, Nir Bar Dea, said: “The Economic Development Assembly in Abidjan noted the importance of collaboration between the private, public, and civil society sectors to discuss some most difficult challenges and opportunities Africa faces – and the impact they have on global economy”.

  • ‘Africa should find its own path to growth, wealth’

    ‘Africa should find its own path to growth, wealth’

    Nature’s Renaissance International (NRI) has urged leaders to use African solutions to solve Africa problems to lift its people out of poverty.

    Chief Executive, Dr Clinton Brown, who spoke at NRI’s event in Lagos, noted until Africa finds its own answers, it will remain poor.

    Brown said Africans are hardworking but they need leaders to coordinate its resources to achieve growth and transformation.

    The chief executive said NRI designed home-made products and a wealth creation programme to lift millions out of poverty.

    “Africa is behind in development and technology. We formed this organisation to remedy our economic situation. Nigeria is the strongest economy in Africa followed by South Africa, yet Africa is still behind compared to Western countries and Asia.”

    He noted Africa is blessed with material and human resources but we need to harmonise them to create wealth, stressing we should use home products to enhance our living standard.

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    “Government has no solution to our problems. It is you and I that can salvage Nigeria by harmonising our products and technology, even if we make mistakes, we will eventually improve. This is what other countries did.”

    NRL Brand Ambassador, Browny Igboegwu, said NRI would work with business ventures and individuals to create success through marketing and empowerment.

    He said NRI business orientation was meant to enhance individual potential, adding Lagos State has a vibrant economy and Lagosians are enterprising people.

    Igboegwu added Lagos is a fertile ground for business to thrive, stressing besides marketing products, NRI empowers people to develop their potential in business.

    Highlight of the event is award of cars by the management to distributors and resourceful contributors.

  • Africa’s demand for permanent UNSC seat

    Africa’s demand for permanent UNSC seat

    • By Matthew Alugbin

    Sir: Nigeria has renewed calls for the United Nations to consider granting a permanent seat for the African continent on the Security Council in its characteristic effort to live up to the mantra of being the Giant of Africa. This demand is not a new one. Former President Muhammadu Buhari made the same appeal during previous UN General Assemblies. Leaders from Ghana, South Africa, Sierra Leone, and other notable African countries have also, at different times, advocated for two permanent seats on the Security Council to represent the 54 nations within Africa and the over 1.2 billion people who live on the continent. They believe this would create a more representative and inclusive Security Council.

    The Security Council currently consists of five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members. The permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The special privilege of the permanent members is the veto power, which allows them to block any resolution they oppose, regardless of the support it has from other members. Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s 1989 song, “Beast of No Nation,” long criticised this arrangement:        “One veto vote is equal to 92…or more, or more; Which kind sense be dat, na animal sense.”

    Seeing that the interests of the UN were not aligned with those of Africa, Fela concluded and labelled the organisation “egbekegbe,” meaning a bad society. Yet, here is Africa now demanding a world where all nations can dialogue as equals. This organisation was created when most African nations were still struggling under colonial rule. The confidence of African leaders in making this demand is commendable, but it is important to understand that such demands are not achieved through rhetoric alone.

    There are several questions African leaders must ask themselves and answer before evaluating the weight of their demand. To be considered for the Security Council, what qualifications must Nigeria or any other African country meet? How many missiles can Africa produce? Can a nation struggling to contain banditry, militancy, and other domestic issues qualify for such a position?

    Is qualification based solely on population or the number of nations on a continent? Does Africa truly need the UN? Did the Security Council’s permanent members plead or beg for their seats? Who desires a United Nations with a disunited Africa? A permanent seat on the UN Security Council is not the only path to global influence. Despite their lack of permanent seats, economic powerhouses like Germany and Japan wield significant influence in the world today. They did not get that through the demand for permanent seats in the UNSC.

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    Undoubtedly, Nigeria and Africa’s seemingly unending love for borrowing and reliance on external aid will not end soon. Meanwhile, beggars cannot be choosers. For instance, most African nations do not produce their own weapons, vehicles, medicine, or technology. Yet, they want a say in world affairs and be among the decision-makers. While military power remains a factor, other criteria, such as economic influence, diplomatic capability, and global peace and security contributions, determine international recognition. Unfortunately, many African nations are yet to fully leverage their strengths in these areas.

    It seems that this demand will now be part of the speeches read at every General Assembly, and no one can tell how many future Nigerian presidents and African leaders will continue to make such appeals. The African Union has made significant strides, particularly with the African Continental Free Trade Area and peacekeeping efforts. Notwithstanding, it should initiate steps vital for reducing reliance on external aid. It should focus on building a united and self-reliant continent. Africa must foster regional integration, enhance economic self-sufficiency and build coalitions with other regions. Africa must realise that might, not rhetoric, determines or guarantees a permanent seat. If African nations do not make concerted efforts to build the continent, their leaders will continue to make routine demands to empty chairs at every UN meeting. Africa cannot continue to beg for seats at someone else’s table.

    •Matthew Alugbin, PhD,

    Edo State University, Uzairue.

  • ‘How to unlock Africa’s $20b gemstone, jewellery industry’

    ‘How to unlock Africa’s $20b gemstone, jewellery industry’

    Players in the precious and semi-stone industry have canvassed the need for African governments to remove the obstacles clogging the growth of the value chain, which could generate a minimum of not less than $20 billion in revenue for the continent.

    The players said Africa’s rich deposits of precious and semi-precious stones, which are highly sought after in the international market for the gemstone and jewellery industry, are not giving enough benefits to the people involved in its mining.

    Speaking yesterday at the African Gold Gemstone Jewelry Exhibition and Conference in Lagos put together by the African Minerals Development Centre, an entity of the African Union and Women in Mining in Nigeria, the players canvassed closer collaboration to optimise the full benefits of the value chain.

    President and Founder of Women in Mining in Nigeria, Dr. Janet Adeyemi said if a proper framework is put in place by African governments, the mining sector could bring economic prosperity to countries on the continent because of the huge jobs it could generate.

    She said a lot needs to be done to deepen women’s participation to push for the growth and development of gemstone exploration, processing, and pricing on the continent.

    Dr Adeyemi, there is no need to attract diaspora funding into the mining of precious stones in Africa as more financial institutions including Eco Bank, Lotus Bank, First Bank NEXIM Bank, and UNIDO are backing efforts to develop the sector.

    The President and Founder of Women in Mining in Nigeria said the government needs to rethink its interventions to improve a lot of women by offering more empowerment programmes that will extract more benefits.

    She said:” More women are engaged in mining activities in Nigeria as closer collaboration will drive the value chain.”

    Also speaking, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mrs Adesuwa Don-Princewill said efforts are on to bring more women on board as key players in the precious metals value chain.

    Also speaking, the Programme Officer of Africa Minerals Development Centre, Mr Mkululi Ncube said efforts are underway by the African Union to develop a framework that will bring about a commodity exchange for infrastructure.

    Also speaking at the conference, the President of the Association of Women in Mining in Africa, Balhine Pascaline Ongba said the mining sector could do better if more women were empowered even as she called for the exchange of jewellery among African countries.

    She called on governments on the continent to remove many laws that inhibit the trading of gemstones in Africa.

    She also decried the limited number of gemstone designers on the continent saying a pool of such professionals is needed to drive value for the sector.

    The conference in Lagos brought together players in the gemstone and jewellery business across the continent with UNIDO organising a master class on steps to be taken to extract value from the sector.

    Speaking at the event, Senior Investment and Technology expert, UNIDO ITPU Nigeria, Mr Collins Osagie Omokaro said the agency is partnering with players in the sector to drive more investment, attract more prosperity by deepening capacity building through policies, processing and pricing of precious stones.

    A study by the African Union unit identified the obstacles hindering the sector including lack of market knowledge, lack of expertise in technically identifying the type of gemstones they are producing and their value in the market.

    It listed other challenges including a lack of skills in grading, cutting, and polishing these gemstones as part of the lingering obstacles.

    But, players said most of the artisanal miners do not know the supply chain, rather, they rely on brokers who exploit them to give them valuation.

    The players also said most miners do not trust that Africans have the skills and expertise to cut and polish to their standards.

    They affirmed that the miners prefer to buy rough gemstones from the brokers and send them to their gemologists who know the “European or American” cut.

    They said: “This disenfranchises the miners who would have realised greater incomes from selling value-added gemstones. African countries lose out as well on the opportunity of having a thriving gemstones industry that could spawn or support other economic linkages, create jobs – especially for women and youth, as well as generate higher income from the exportation of value-added stones branded as originating from their countries.”

    Meanwhile, players have also identified ways to improve the sector including addressing the supply chain issues by organising gem fairs or travelling to international fairs mainly in Asia to attract buyers.

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    “Most countries in the continent have several occurrences of these often precious and semi-precious stones that are highly sought after in the jewellery industry. Notable instances are Ethiopia’s Opals, Kenya’s Tsavorite, Madagascar and Sapphires, Mozambique’s rubies, Tanzania’s Tanzanite and Zambia’s Emeralds. Despite having deposits of these gemstones, and some of these deposits being exploited through artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) with a high level of women participation, the African countries that harbour them and the miners do not benefit from the high prices that gemstones fetch internationally.

    “African countries lose out as well on the opportunity of having a thriving gemstones industry that could spawn or support other economic linkages, create jobs – especially for women and youth, as well as generate higher income from the exportation of value-added stones branded as originating from their countries.

    “The Africa Mining Vision (AMV), which was adopted by African Countries in 2009, is the blueprint for inclusive and sustainable development of the continent’s mineral resources sector to underpin broad-based development. Among other things, the AMV requires local value-addition to minerals to maximize the impact of the mining sector in the social and economic transformation of African countries.”

  • Aseyin of Iseyin to represent Nigeria, Africa at Hollywood, African Prestigious Awards

    Aseyin of Iseyin to represent Nigeria, Africa at Hollywood, African Prestigious Awards

    His Imperial Majesty Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeeri Ajirotutu I, Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oyo State, and Vice Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas, has been specially invited to attend the 2024 edition of the Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards (HAPAwards).

    The monarch has been invited as a distinguished guest of honour for the event set to take place on October 27, 2024, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

    This year’s edition of the awards ceremony is themed ‘A Fusion of Cultures.’

    As a proud representative of Nigeria and Africa, His Imperial Majesty will be leading a distinguished delegation from Nigeria to this prestigious event. His Royal Highness Oba Olugbile Emmanuel Ademole, the Alado of Ado Awaye, a revered monarch from the ancient city of Ado Awaye, home to the second largest suspended lake in the world, will accompany the Aseyin of Iseyin.

    Also attending will be Honourable Shina Abiola Peller, high-ranking palace chiefs, Her Highness Olori Ajobo Mariam Omoronke, media representatives, special advisers, and others.

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    The invitation to this event highlights the global recognition of His Imperial Majesty’s outstanding contributions to culture, leadership, and philanthropy.

    Known for his exceptional business acumen and charitable endeavours in both Nigeria and the United States, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeeri Ajirotutu I has long championed initiatives that promote the growth of African art, culture, and community development.

    This highly anticipated HAPAwards celebrates excellence across film, music, and the arts while promoting cultural exchange and collaboration between Hollywood and the African continent. The awards ceremony is an annual gathering of industry luminaries, creatives, and cultural ambassadors from across the globe.

  • ‘MoU advances climate action in Africa’

    ‘MoU advances climate action in Africa’

    Consulting firm Africa Practice (AP) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a global non-profit organisation tackling climate change, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to address climate challenges and promote sustainable energy solutions across Africa.

    The partnership was officially announced by Director at Africa Practice, Richard Kiplagat, at the three-day Global Africa Hydrogen Summit (GAH2S), which ended yesterday at Safari Conference Centre in Windhoek, Namibia.

    The inaugural edition of the three-day Summit themed ‘From Ambition to Action: Fuelling Africa’s Green Industrial Revolution’ was aimed at defining and amplifying Africa’s role in the global hydrogen market while fostering collaboration across policy, investment, and industry sectors.

    Ultimately, the vision is to maximise the hydrogen opportunity in Africa and contribute significantly to the sustainable and equitable global energy transition.

    The MoU between Africa Practice and EDF aims to support a successful energy transition in Africa by accelerating the reduction of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, while ensuring that new green hydrogen projects achieve their potential as climate solutions.

    The MoU outlines several key objectives including elevating climate policy discourse, amplifying African voices, methane abatement strategy, and stakeholder engagement

    Under its objective of elevating climate policy discourse, the partnership will focus on disseminating EDF’s research findings to local audiences, promoting more informed debate on critical issues such as hydrogen development and methane reduction.

    As for amplifying African voices, Africa Practice will work to share African perspectives with global policymakers, ensuring that international climate initiatives are better adapted to local contexts and dynamics.

    Also, a joint advocacy strategy will be developed to address methane abatement opportunities in Africa’s oil and gas sector, including efforts to secure additional signatories to the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter.

    Cutting methane emissions could slow down climate change by avoiding more than 0.2°C of global warming, improve air quality and public health, enhance agricultural productivity by preventing millions of tons of crop losses and strengthen Africa’s role in global climate leadership.

    Under the MoU’s stakeholder engagement objective, the partnership will convene key stakeholders to advance conversations on methane abatement opportunities across the continent.

    According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) Methane Tracker for 2024, the aggregate methane emissions from Africa’s oil & gas sector were approximately 9, 200 kilotons in 2023; this equates to 67 per cent of all energy sector methane emissions for the region.

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    Methane poses severe health risks as high-emitting companies and processes pollute the air, often in areas where marginalised communities live and work.

    EDF Senior Vice President, Energy Transition, Mark Brownstein, said: “This partnership builds on the EDF’s long history of effective collaboration globally and locally and commitment to turn science into action to stabilise the climate.

     “We look forward to working with Africa Practice to help put sound science at the heart of Africa’s energy and climate policy discourse and to focus on two immediate action areas: cutting climate-warming methane emissions from Africa’s oil and gas sector and getting its emerging hydrogen systems right.”

    Managing Director of East Africa and Group Chief Commercial Officer at Africa Practice, Richard Kiplagat, said: “This MoU with the EDF marks a significant step in our commitment to driving sustainable development in Africa. Green hydrogen is poised to be a significant catalyst for Africa’s sustainable development.”

    Kiplagat said this clean energy carrier offers immense potential to transform Africa’s energy landscape, drive economic growth, and contribute significantly to global decarbonization efforts.

     “By combining our local expertise with EDF’s global experience, we are in a unique position to make a real impact on climate policy and action across the continent,” he stated.

    The announcement of this MoU at the Global Africa Hydrogen Summit underscores the growing importance of collaborative efforts in addressing climate challenges and shaping the future of clean energy in Africa.

    Africa Practice is a mission-led strategic consulting firm advising investors and development partners across the continent.

    The firm has 20+ years of experience bringing stakeholders together to identify solutions to complex social and economic development challenges and creating the conditions for impact-led innovation to be applied at scale.

    The Environmental Defense Fund is one of the world’s leading international non-profit organisations, EDF creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems.

    To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than three million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn solutions into action.

  • Auto chief: 55m used cars dumped in Africa

    Auto chief: 55m used cars dumped in Africa

    Africa has become a dumping ground for 55 million used cars from abroad, Chief Executive of African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), David Coffey,  has said.

    He said the trend can change if there is synergy between National Automobile Design and Development Council (NADDC) and AAAM, which can industrialise and grow the automotive sector in Africa.

    He said the sector can work with public and private sectors to promote affordable, safe, low-emission vehicles, and develop a value chain, including finance sector partnership.

     Coffey, who dissected Nigeria’s manufacturing capability, identified the lack of demand as a key challenge.

    He called for strengthening of the automobile policy for increased investment, adding partnership would boost production, enhance technology transfer and raise industrial capacity.

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    Coffey spoke during the tour of automobile companies by Director-General of NADDC, Joseph Osanipin.

    Accompanied by AAAM team, he visited Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) and Afro Asia at Nnewi, Anambra State, where he hailed the firms for their innovation.

    Osanipin swaid he would replicate Innoson’s model to boost local manufacturing capabilities.

    He lauded Innoson for manufacturing complete CNG buses using locally sourced materials; glass, iron, and plastic.

    Osanipin said other firms should partner Innoson to grow the industry, noting importance of setting standards and conducting peer reviews with other economies.