Nigeria: Rwanda takes advantage of Nigeria's struggle with auto politics



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By Theodore Opara

As the Nigerian government does not take its car policy seriously, other African countries are taking the bull by the horns, dangling carrots in front of world-clbad car manufacturers. Some of the auto companies that originally wanted to make Nigeria their base in Africa are looking at other African countries that give them a more conducive environment to set up factories and produce modern automobiles rather than depend on imported used cars. from Europe and America. The Volkswagen Group has opened a plant in Kigali, Rwanda to produce state-of-the-art automobiles.

The Volkswagen brand that extends its commitment to Africa has recently launched its integrated mobility solutions in Rwanda that include local vehicle badembly and innovative mobility. services and sales point of sale and service CFAO Volkswagen Rwanda. Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Group South Africa and responsible for the sub-Saharan region, officially launched the project in the capital Kigali in the presence of His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda. Volkswagen thus takes a new step towards the development of new emerging markets. In a long-term perspective, the brand intends to play a leading role in the emerging automotive industry in Africa. With this commitment, Volkswagen makes a substantial contribution to Africa's economic development.

Thomas Schäfer said: "Rwanda has great potential: young, modern and eager for individual mobility, the country has a program specifically designed for the region. We want to exploit growth opportunities and create new opportunities, Rwanda can become a model for other African and emerging markets. "

At the center of the project are application-based carsharing and transporting offers that attract individual mobility to a larger part of the population.The project starts with the sharing of community cars mainly aimed at businesses in the capital, Kigali.A road transport service will follow later this year.Other mobility services are planned for 2019. Rwanda is the ideal market for new mobility solutions because people They are highly digital and technologically savvy, and the demand for mobility is increasing and the current offerings can hardly keep pace with these needs.

On the production side, there is a strong demand for mobility. Local badembly of the latest generation of Polo and Pbadat will now start with other models planned for the future.Initially, it is planned to build up to 1,000 vehicles per year in the demand and success of the mobility fleet, with an annual production capacity of up to 5,000 units. The badembly is flexibly designed and can be expanded if necessary. The Volkswagen Rwanda CFAO sales and service center is part of the same complex and guarantees a complete customer service. Volkswagen to spend about US $ 20 million in Rwanda for the first phase

Sub-Saharan Strategy: Presence in Future Growth Markets

Volkswagen also pursues its sub-Saharan strategy with the start of production operations and market activities in Rwanda . The brand will significantly expand its engagement in Africa and its long-term goal is to play a leading role in the emerging automotive industry in Africa. To this end, the brand will establish several pillars in the region and will continue to expand rapidly and flexibly in the coming years. This will lay the groundwork for participation in the future growth of the region. In addition to Rwanda, Volkswagen is already active in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Algeria. As part of its TRANSFORM 2025+ brand strategy, Volkswagen is strengthening the regions and focusing on new emerging markets. Along with North and South America and China, the sub-Saharan region is playing an increasingly important role. Although the African car market is relatively small today, the region could become a future automotive growth market.

Thomas Schäfer commented: "Volkswagen is one of the pioneers in Africa More than 60 years ago, Volkswagen was establishing its first factory outside Germany in South Africa and now we are the first in the sub-Saharan region, there are obviously challenges, but there are also great opportunities: starting with several small companies, we can learn and respond flexibly to developments. "At Volkswagen, we believe in Africa "

His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda said:" Africa does not need to be a dump for used cars, or n & rsquo; No matter what occasion.If you can pay a high price for a second hand, why not pay a high price for something new, it's a simple choice: Africans, Rwandans We deserve better, showing how we can afford it. Reasons and others, this promising partnership with Volkswagen is off to a good start. "

Contribution to Africa's Economic Development

Volkswagen not only seeks commercial success in Rwanda, but also intends to make a lasting contribution to economic development." In addition, the brand creates up to 1,000 new skilled jobs and set up a Qualification and Training Center with other German companies, trained by qualified Volkswagen instructors in Kenya, mobility drivers will soon be recruited and trained by Volkswagen and specialists in this field, while Volkswagen collaborates with partners and local suppliers wherever possible, based in Kigali

As Thomas Schäfer explained: "Rwanda and Africa are much more that's just another market for us. We see ourselves as part of the African society and want to be a good reliable partner for the people here – as in all Volkswagen sites around the world. "

German Federal Minister Gerd Müller said:" The new project of Volkswagen Rwanda is the kind of activity that we would like to see copied by other German companies. We want many others to start new businesses in Africa. Volkswagen has brought good ideas and a generous dose of pioneering spirit to this project and, together with its German and Rwandan partners, is developing a viable mobility concept for Rwanda. "

" We are happy to support this project through German development cooperation. These companies make a direct contribution to sustainable economic development – and this fits perfectly with the idea of ​​our Marshall Plan with Africa. The only way for Rwandans and other countries to have an attractive future in their own country, is to provide them with quality training and good jobs wherever they are, "added the Minister. Müller

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