Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Dangote unveils new Nigerian-made Peugeot vehicle, boosts domestic auto industry















Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN), the official manufacturer and marketer of Peugeot vehicles in Nigeria, has begun assembling the GT model of the Peugeot 3008—a globally successful and award-winning SUV.

Equipped with a high-performance 1.6-liter turbo engine, the Peugeot 3008 GT expands DPAN’s existing lineup from its state-of-the-art assembly plant in Kaduna.

This marks a significant step in Dangote’s commitment to boosting local vehicle production and enhancing Nigeria’s auto industry.

Peugeot's first assembly of the 3008 model in Africa took place in Ghana in 2022.

This marked a significant milestone in the brand’s expansion into the continent, specifically the production of its globally acclaimed Peugeot 3008 SUV.

The assembly was carried out at the Silver Star Auto-owned Tema Assembly Plant, a result of a partnership between Citroën, Peugeot, and Silver Star Auto that began in 2019.


DPAN products

Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN) began production with the re-launch of the Peugeot brand in Nigeria, starting with the local assembly of the Peugeot 301 at its Kaduna plant.

The company has since expanded its lineup to include the Landtrek pickup, 3008, 5008, and the latest 508 models.

Dangote entered Nigeria’s automobile industry in 2016 when his group, alongside the Kaduna State Government and the Bank of Industry, acquired a majority stake in Peugeot Automobile.

By 2017, he secured a license for a Peugeot assembly plant, and in 2022, Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN) began operations.

DPAN, a joint venture with Stellantis Group, the Kano and Kaduna state governments, and Dangote Industries, operates from the Greenfield Ultima Assembly Plant in Kaduna, with a daily capacity of 120 vehicles.

Expanding into commercial vehicles, Dangote launched the Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Ltd (DSWAL) CKD plant in Lagos.

The plant assembles heavy-duty, medium, and light trucks, producing up to 10,000 units annually and creating 3,000 jobs.


Nigeria’s auto manufacturing market

Nigeria is making strides in boosting local vehicle production to reduce reliance on imports and drive industrial growth.

Key players like Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Stallion Group, Nord, and Dangote Group have boosted the local vehicle assembly market, increasing domestic production capacity.

The Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Programme (NAIDP) 2024-2034 aims to promote local manufacturing of vehicle spare parts and reduce imports, which cost around $1 billion annually.

Developing local components like batteries, tyres, and exhaust systems is crucial for strengthening the industry.

By boosting local manufacturing, Nigeria can reduce its dependence on imports and achieve broader national goals for economic development.

By Solomon Ekanem, Business Insider Africa

Global investors eye Nigeria’s lithium reserves

International investors are showing increasing interest in Nigeria’s lithium reserves, according to Segun Tomori, special assistant on media to Dele Alake, the minister of solid minerals development.

During an XSpace session hosted by TheCable on Monday, Tomori described lithium as the most sought-after mineral globally, citing its critical role in producing electric vehicles, solar panels, and other green energy technologies.

According to him, “Lithium is a major dragnet, it is what attracts a lot of investors across the world.”

“Lithium is topping the list, gold is also in contention, nickel, cobalt too. Lithium is topping the charts in terms of interest, and we have seen the springing up of lithium factories in Nigeria already,”


Africa’s lithium race

Zimbabwe currently holds the largest share of lithium deposits in Africa, with significant Chinese investments. But Nigeria is also eager to claim a piece of the global market. By 2030, Africa is projected to supply 20% of the world’s lithium.

In 2023, China’s Ming Xin Mineral Separation Nig Ltd. was chosen by Kaduna State to build Nigeria’s first lithium-processing plant, with plans to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles (EVs).

In 2022, the Nigerian government claimed it had rejected a proposal from Tesla to purchase raw lithium from the country.

Ayodeji Adeyemi, special assistant to the minister of mines and steel development, told Rest of World that the proposal was turned down because it did not align with Nigeria’s new mining policies.

“Our new mining policy demands that you add some value to raw mineral ores, including lithium before you export to create jobs and build industries,” Adeyemi said. “They don’t have to turn ores into finished goods. We are only asking them to add some value before exporting.”

Recently, President Ramaphosa of South Africa also expressed his interest in collaborating with Nigeria to harness critical minerals, particularly lithium, to drive the green energy transition and support the development of EV batteries.

Tomori revealed that a lithium factory was inaugurated in 2024, bringing the total number of commissioned factories to two, with a third currently under construction.

As Nigeria ramps up its lithium processing capabilities, the country is positioning itself as a key player in the global clean energy transition.

By Adekunle Agbetiloye, Business Insider Africa


Video - The children powering a lithium boom in Nigeria

Video - Nigeria food experts divided over government approval of GMO crops



Nigerian food experts continue debating over a decision by the West African nation’s government to approve the consumption and sale of genetically modified crops to address food insecurity, a verdict that critics say poses health risks and economic challenges. VOA correspondents Kahli Abdu and Aisha Muazu have more.

Monday, February 10, 2025

Video - Families of slain Nigerian soldiers demand greater government support



Families of Nigerian military officers killed in action are urging the government to provide more assistance. Some retired military personnel have alro appealed for financial support.

Nigeria's Dangote Refinery to operate at full capacity in 30 days

Nigeria's Dangote Oil refinery, Africa's largest, could begin operating at full capacity in 30 days, the head of the refinery said on Monday.

The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery built by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote in Lagos began processing crude into products, including diesel, naphtha and jet fuel, in January last year and started processing petrol in September.

It aims to compete with European refiners when operating at full capacity but had been struggling to secure sufficient crude locally.

Edwin Devakumar, head of the Dangote oil refinery said it was currently operating at 85% capacity and "we can go 100 percent in 30 days."

Last year, the refinery turned to importing crude after it was unable to secure sufficient volumes despite an agreement with the Nigerian government to buy crude in the local naira currency.

It has asked for 550,000 bpd of crude for January-June this year from oil producers in Nigeria, according to the oil regulator, which has also said it would block export permits for oil cargoes from producers who fail to meet their stipulated supply quota to local refineries.

The Dangote Oil Refinery is exploring new markets for its refined products. Founder Aliko Dangote told a group of Nigerian professionals who visited last week that it was sending two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco as part of its plans to expand.

"We are looking at all the markets right now," said Devakumar.

By Isaac Anyaogu, Reuters