WAAS 2026 Conference Communiqué: A Shared Vision for Africa's Automotive Future

The 2026 West Africa Automotive Show (WAAS), held from 12th to 14th May 2026 at the Landmark Centre, Lagos, Nigeria, successfully brought together automotive suppliers and manufacturers, spare parts dealers, policymakers, investors, trade associations, logistics providers, technology experts, and aftermarket stakeholders from across Africa, Middle East, Asia, among others.

With over 350 exhibitors, more than 6,000 attendees, and participation from over 60 countries, the event reaffirmed its position as West Africa’s foremost automotive aftermarket and mobility platform.

The 2026 Exhibition focused on the theme, “Strengthening Automotive After-Sales Support Ecosystems for Sustainable Mobility in West Africa,” providing a strategic platform for shaping conversations around automotive sustainability, regional trade integration, localisation of component manufacturing, digital transformation, consumer trust, and the future of mobility in Africa.

The crème-de-la-crème in the automotive sector in Africa and Nigeria attended the three-day event to provide insights into the conversations. The list of stakeholders included the Director-General of the Nigerian Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC); President of the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA), Hon. Ngozi Emechebe; Founder & President, Lady Mechanic Initiative & Girls Women Artisanship Initiative Foundations, Sandra Aguebor; Managing Director, Honda Automobile Western Africa Ltd, Daisuke Mita; ECOWAS Project Manager, African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), Victor Sarpong; Chairman, Automotive and Allied Sector Group of LCCI, Dr. Olorunfemi Eguaikhide; Deputy Managing Director, CFAO Mobility Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Jaiyesimi; Head, Ghana Automotive Development Centre, Kojo Annobil; Managing Director, OMAA, Chinedu Oguegbu; Chairman of the AAAM Skills Development Chair & Head of Sub-Saharan Africa Business Development, Hyundai Motor Middle East and Africa, Nobuhle Renqe, among others.

Participants acknowledged that the future growth and resilience of the automotive sector in Nigeria and West Africa will depend not only on vehicle sales but significantly on the strength and reliability of the aftersales ecosystem.

Discussions throughout the conference highlighted the urgent need to strengthen spare parts distribution, technical training, workshop standards, logistics systems, warranty frameworks, financing models, and local manufacturing capacity in order to achieve sustainable mobility across the region.

The conference noted that the annual expenditure on spare parts represents between 12 and 15 percent of Nigeria’s national budget and exceeds the yearly budgets of several African countries combined. Stakeholders agreed that these figures clearly demonstrate the strategic importance of the automotive aftermarket sector as a major driver of industrialisation, job creation, technology transfer, and economic diversification.

Participants strongly emphasised that the sustainability of the automotive industry lies in the ability to maintain vehicles efficiently throughout their lifecycle.

The conference further recognised that most vehicles operating in Nigeria and across West Africa remain in service for more than a decade, thereby creating continuous demand for tyres, lubricants, filters, electrical systems, mechanical components, diagnostics, and technical servicing.

Stakeholders agreed that strengthening local supply chains and developing indigenous production capacity for these components must be prioritised to create jobs and expand Africa’s economy.

Participants also deliberated extensively on the opportunities and challenges presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It was noted that the AfCFTA framework presents significant export opportunities for countries capable of achieving the required “Rule of Origin” threshold, which mandates that at least 40 percent of a product’s components be locally sourced before qualifying for duty-free trade across Africa.

Stakeholders observed that countries such as South Africa, Morocco, Ghana, and Togo are already strategically positioning themselves to maximise AfCFTA opportunities through investments in automotive production, industrial parks, technical training, and export infrastructure. Consequently, participants called on the Nigerian government and private sector players to urgently accelerate investments in local manufacturing, industrial capacity development, and value chain integration.

The conference commended the critical role being played by the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), recognised as Africa’s largest automotive trade market with over 20,000 importers, distributors, wholesalers, and traders. Participants acknowledged ASPAMDA’s contribution to automotive commerce, spare parts accessibility, and market expansion across Nigeria and West Africa.

They however called for an institutionalised warranty system, dealer accountability structures, certification mechanisms, and customer protection frameworks would significantly improve trust within the sector.

Stakeholders further noted that despite the largely informal nature of the automotive spare parts trade in Nigeria, there is significant opportunity for gradual formalisation through digitalisation, documentation, training, and improved business processes. Participants agreed that formalisation does not necessarily imply the elimination of informal traders, but rather the integration of informal market structures into more organised, transparent, and efficient systems.

The conference acknowledged the transformative impact of digital technology on automotive commerce and trade. It was observed that platforms such as WhatsApp, email, e-commerce systems, and digital payment solutions are already reshaping how automotive businesses communicate, market products, manage inventory, and engage customers across borders.

Participants recognised that digital migration has expanded market access for traders, enabled wider customer reach, improved product visibility, and simplified commercial transactions. However, it was equally emphasised that digital trust remains fundamental to the growth of e-commerce and cross-border trade.

The conference also examined the implementation challenges associated with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS). While acknowledging the importance of the scheme in facilitating regional trade and reducing barriers to movement of goods, participants expressed concern over persistent implementation gaps, border bottlenecks, inconsistent regulations, and bureaucratic inefficiencies across member states.

Stakeholders noted that although digitalisation allows businesses to transact across borders with increasing ease, physical border constraints continue to hinder trade efficiency, increase logistics costs, and delay supply chain operations.

Participants therefore urged ECOWAS member states to strengthen intergovernmental coordination, harmonise customs procedures, and address infrastructure and regulatory gaps that impede regional commerce.

The future of electric mobility also featured prominently during the conference. Participants acknowledged that the gradual transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) will require significant changes in technical skills, workshop infrastructure, diagnostic equipment, safety standards, and aftersales systems.

Stakeholders observed that EV maintenance differs substantially from traditional ICE vehicle servicing and therefore requires specialised training, tools, and technical competencies.

They also dentified inadequate financing, policy inconsistency, shortage of skilled technicians, weak infrastructure and affordability concerns as major barriers slowing the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Nigeria and across West Africa.

Consequently, the conference called on governments, technical institutions, and industry stakeholders to begin preparing mechanics, engineers, and workshop operators for the emerging electric mobility ecosystem.

While participants agree that the region is ready for the transition to the CNG and EV as alternative automobiles in view of the skyrocketing prices of premium motor spirit (PMS) also known as petrol, they stressed the need for single-digit interest rates to encourage investment in vehicle conversion, manufacturing of equipment and ultimately assembling of the CNG-powered vehicles.  

The conference further acknowledged the importance of strategic partnerships in driving sectoral growth. WAAS 2026 successfully facilitated engagement between manufacturers, importers, distributors, investors, and policymakers, creating opportunities for commercial partnerships, technology transfer, and regional collaboration.

Participants commended the organisers of WAAS for providing a unique platform that links buyers and suppliers from across sub-Saharan Africa and the world under one roof. The strategic partnership between WAAS and ASPAMDA was particularly praised for enabling direct access to thousands of market participants and enhancing the commercial relevance of the exhibition.

At the conclusion of the conference, stakeholders collectively resolved to:

1.     Advocate for increased local manufacturing of automotive components and spare parts in Nigeria and West Africa.

2.     Promote stronger aftersales systems as the foundation for sustainable mobility and consumer confidence.

3.     Encourage investments in technical training, modern workshops, diagnostics, and automotive technologies.

4.     Develop and institutionalise warranty and quality assurance frameworks within the spare parts market.

5.     Accelerate digital transformation and formalisation within the automotive aftermarket ecosystem.

6.     Strengthen regional trade integration and address implementation gaps under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and AfCFTA.

7.     Prepare the automotive industry for electric vehicle adoption and expansion of gas-powered automobiles through targeted training and infrastructure development.

8.     Support consumer protection initiatives and combat counterfeit automotive products.

9.     Foster documentation, data management, and transparency as critical tools for business growth and regional competitiveness.

10.  Advocate for a single-digit interest rates as the current double-digit rates are highly prohibitive, preventing Nigerians from being able to afford brand new vehicles.

11.  Encourage the government through the NADDC to forge partnerships with relevant bodies, institutions especially the development finance institutions (DFIs) to roll out affordable finance schemes to support acquisition of brand new vehicles and the development of the automotive industry.   

The 2026 West Africa Automotive Show concluded with renewed optimism about the future of the automotive industry in Nigeria and West Africa.

Participants expressed confidence that with the right policies, investments, partnerships, and institutional support, the region can build a resilient, competitive, and sustainable automotive ecosystem capable of driving industrial development, regional trade, employment generation, and technological advancement across Africa.