NADDC Deepens China Partnership to Accelerate Local Vehicle Production

The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s automotive industry through a strategic engagement with one of China’s leading vehicle manufacturers, Jiangling Motors Group Co. Ltd.

The engagement, held in Nanchang China, was led by the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin and brought together Nigerian automotive stakeholders and senior executives of the Chinese automobile giant.

The discussions focused on expanding opportunities for local vehicle assembly, technology transfer, component localization and broader industrial development within Nigeria’s growing automotive sector.

Speaking during the engagement, Osanipin reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for automotive manufacturing and investment.

He noted that strategic international partnerships remain critical to the country’s ambition of building a globally competitive automotive industry capable of driving industrialization, creating jobs and attracting long-term investment.

According to the NADDC Director-General, Nigeria remains committed to policies that encourage local assembly operations, deepen local content participation and facilitate the transfer of automotive technology and expertise.

He stressed that strengthening partnerships with established global manufacturers would accelerate Nigeria’s journey towards becoming a major automotive production hub on the African continent.

The meeting also underscored the Federal Government’s continued support for credible Nigerian automotive assemblers seeking to expand production capacity and enhance competitiveness.

A major highlight of the engagement was the signing of a collaboration agreement between Jiangling Motors Group Co. Ltd. and Nigerian automobile assembler Cedric Masters Limited.

The agreement was executed by the Chief Executive Officer of Cedric Masters Limited Chief Anslem Ilekuba, in the presence of the NADDC Director-General and other stakeholders.

Industry observers say the partnership could open new opportunities for local vehicle production, technical training and industrial expansion within Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem.

Beyond assembly operations, discussions also explored future collaboration in component manufacturing, workforce development and emerging technologies, including electric vehicles.

The focus on electric vehicle technology aligns with global shifts toward cleaner and more sustainable transportation systems, while also positioning Nigeria to benefit from future developments in the automotive industry.

The latest engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to reduce dependence on imported vehicles, encourage local manufacturing and stimulate broader industrial growth through strategic partnerships and investments.

Stakeholders believe that sustained collaboration between local assemblers and international manufacturers could significantly enhance Nigeria’s automotive value chain and contribute to economic diversification efforts.