3,000 participants for W/African automotive parts exhibition

No fewer than 100 exhibitors from about 20 countries and 3,000 participants are expected at the West African Automotive Show (WAAS) holding in Nigeria later in the year. The international trade exhibition brings the region’s automotive parts industry together to deliberate on improving the automotive sector. The Managing Director of BtoB Events, Jamie Hill, the […]

No fewer than 100 exhibitors from about 20 countries and 3,000 participants are expected at the West African Automotive Show (WAAS) holding in Nigeria later in the year.

The international trade exhibition brings the region’s automotive parts industry together to deliberate on improving the automotive sector.

The Managing Director of BtoB Events, Jamie Hill, the organisers of the event, said he was optimistic about leveraging on the exhibition to ramp up the gains of the automotive industry in Nigeria.

The exhibition, endorsed by the National Automotive Industry Development Council (NAIDC), will take place at the Landmark Events Centre in Lagos between November 6 and 8.

Hill forecasts that with ongoing investment in auto assembly, the demand for parts will remain on the increase.

He said, “With over 60 per cent of vehicles on the road being over 12 years old, there is a huge aftermarket industry. The need for high quality and affordable spare parts is becoming increasingly important.

“There is also a real hunger to boost the local assembly of vehicles across the country with the 2013 National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP).

“With more assembly plants being set up, this again significantly increases the demand for spare parts. We are committed to supporting Nigeria to reach its forecast of having 70 per cent of new cars sold being assembled or manufactured domestically by 2050.’’

He further said, “We have a wealth of international exhibitors looking to bring high-tech equipment to Nigeria for the first time and a large number of local exhibitors are looking to expand their business and increase exports to surrounding countries.”

Nigerian businesses will account for about 30 per cent of exhibitors. There will be national pavilions for Morocco and China, smaller groupings from Thailand, Egypt, Tunisia and India, and a dozen more countries will also be represented.