This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 8/13/2019

 Overview

Unit:  USD thousands

 2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
(estimated)
Total Market Size72,400176,000226,000265,000
Total Local Production40,00050,00060,00065,000
Total Exports0000
Total Imports32,400126,000166,000200,000
Imports from the U.S.16,34063,01983,242100,000
Exchange Rate:   1 USD197359359359


Total Market Size = (Total Local Production + Total Imports) – (Total Exports)
Data Sources: 
Total Local Production:   Estimates by industry contacts
Total Exports:   Estimates by industry contacts
Total Imports:   Estimates by industry contacts
Imports from U.S.:   U.S. Census Bureau.

Transportation by road accounts for more than 70% of all intra and inter-city traffic in Nigeria due to the country’s poor transportation infrastructure. Rail projects intended to connect the country’s commercial cities are still in the works and not fully operational.  Therefore, dry and wet cargo will continue to be distributed largely by commercial heavy and light duty trucks. A significant number of the vehicles on Nigerian roads are used units imported from the United States, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. The U.S. is responsible for nearly half of Nigeria’s imports of used trucks and the Mack brand leads as the most preferred due to its perceived ruggedness and durability. Much of all imported brand-new trucks come from China. Efforts by the government to encourage local manufacture is yielding results. Nigerian conglomerate Dangote Group in partnership with Sinotruk of China has begun an assembly factory in Lagos with the capacity to produce 10,000 trucks a year. Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp, in partnership with the CFAO Group, has also opened an assembly plant in Lagos with capacity to produce up to 500 Fuso Canter light duty trucks a year. The Anambra Motor Manufacturing Co (Anammco), and GM Nigeria, a joint venture between UAC of Nigeria Plc and US's General Motors Co. also assembles trucks and buses. The Economist Intelligence Unit projects the total commercial vehicle sales in Nigeria to reach 6,600 units in 2021, 74% higher than 2016. The growing competition from locally assembled and modestly priced Chinese trucks will likely impact U.S. imports adversely.

 

Leading Sub-Sectors

Although Nigeria has a sizeable market for buses, demand for American models is insignificant. Before Chinese and locally made models became prominent recently, the Mercedes and Marcopolo brands were the most in demand. American buses are uncompetitive, partly, due to their high price tag compared with their Asian rivals and partly because of their low ground clearance - a major concern for bus owners given the deplorable condition of Nigerian roads. Opportunities exist for U.S. companies in advanced systems and services for fleet management, wet cargo metering tools, tracking devices, as well as other ICT-based products and capabilities required by haulage and passenger transit companies.
 

Opportunities

There are very few well-established truck and bus driving schools in Nigeria. Consequently, many drivers are not well-trained and do not possess driving certifications. Therefore, opportunities exist for establishing well equipped training centers.
 

Local Event:

USA FAIR 2020: ACCESS NIGERIA (April 28-30, 2020 - TBC)
Eko Convention Center, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Organized by the US Commercial Service exclusively for American exhibitors to    meet thousands of prospective Nigerian businesses.
(Please contact Ambrose.Thomas@trade.gov for more information)

 

Web Resources

http://www.nac.gov.ng

For further information (sector), e-mail Chamberlain Eke, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Nigeria at: Chamberlain.eke@mail.doc.gov.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.


More Information

Nigeria Road Vehicles Trade Development and Promotion