Africa’s leading indigenous vehicle manufacturer, Innoson Motors, would be opening a factory in Imo State. Also, the company is deepening capabilities in the export arm of its business to manage the paralysis of forex which continues to affect manufacturers in Nigeria. Sierra Leone just placed an order of $4.7 million for vehicles. That money is hard currency. If Innoson sustains that, it would not have to buy U.S. dollars in the black market.
Last October, I was with His Majesty, Obi Gibson Nwosu, the Eze Uzu II of Awka, and we broke kola nuts. If you grew up in Abia state, you could be tripped by the version of Igbo spoken in Awka. Throughout the conversation, I ensured I kept to Igbo Izugbe (the general Igbo) as my Isuikwuato version of Igbo language could cause wahala. Good enough, Prof FC Ogbalu, an Anambra icon of Igbo language, brought his version of Igbo into Igbo Izugbe.
Prof Chinua Achebe had written in his own dialect in Ahiajoku lectures in Owerri with explanations on Okike which he edited. At the end, the king saw a raw village boy, not a yankee! Later that evening, I paid courtesy call to the amazing Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Charles Esimone. As I moved around Awka, I heard a rumour that Innoson Motors would expand into Imo State. Ladies and gentlemen, that is now confirmed. Innoson Motors will open a plant in Imo State.
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Also notice how Innoson is pushing for exports to manage the forex risks. Good enough, Sierra Leone is sending $4.7 million through an order: “That’s why we are focusing more on export now to get foreign exchange to enable us to continue to run the factory”.
Most vehicle manufacturers are switching from petrol to electric engine. Are you thinking in that direction?
I never built engine for the first time. I only build body and buy engine. What we do here is building complete motor body. Therefore, if electric is better, what I will do is to partner with electric company to supply me electric engine. And in that case, I won’t lose anything. If electric vehicles become the new normal, we’ll switch over to electric
Where do you export to? Do you supply your vehicles to other African countries?
Where do you export to? Do you supply your vehicles to other African countries? Yes. As of now, I have order of about $4.7million worth of vehicles from Sierra Leone. That’s what I’m producing now for Sierra Leone government. Normally, I do get order and supply from within and outside the country.
[…]
We find it difficult to access foreign exchange, we don’t get at all. How can you be doing black market to do manufacturing? It is difficult. That’s why we are focusing more on export now to get foreign exchange to enable us to continue to run the factory.
Have you considered partnering or merging with known foreign vehicle manufacturers?
Well, most of them want me to partner or merge with them. Yes, we are looking into it. I’m going to open a new factory in Imo in partnership with foreign companies. I believe the partnership will help us to develop motor manufacturing on a bigger scale in Nigeria.
When pioneering entrepreneurs emerge, nations rise. Nigeria is rising with Innoson.
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This is the kind of news you want to hear regularly, Nigerian finished products being ordered from outside!
The only major miracle we need for Nigeria to rise is to have many manufactured products from here being in demand outside our shores. It will bring credibility and stability to Naira, more our always disappointing Oil dollars. The service industry is picking steam in this regard, though still disparate.
And if we manage to make our schools attractive to foreigners, do similar thing in the health sector. Then take advantage of the broader entertainment sector to reposition tourism industry, and Nigeria will fly.
None of these is too complicated, they are pretty straightforward, only that we make simple things look intimidating and confounded here.
We don’t need State governors going to Abuja and begging for money to pay salaries, rather we want them to be competing for investors and sectors dominance, giving you reasons why their state is the best location to do business or for tourism.
Once our private sector begin to capture billions of dollars as a result of value it creates and delivers annually, we will truly become giant of Africa.
Good one from Innoson.
Good words Francis – “It will bring credibility and stability to Naira, more our always disappointing Oil dollars.”
A welcome development
I tell my children that in my next world I will still be an igbo man we are good and we are gifted may God bless Innoson for us proud I am sure his father if had Bank account after the war Awolowo and Cowan conspired to give him only ,,20 pounds now does any child of Awolowo or Cowan worth $4.7million God great and must be proud to be Igbo
Are you communicating relevance or ….? Easy, man!
Dr Grill, I dont think such comments is necessary. I am proud of my Igbo lineage and also proud of Innosson. Let’s us work and pray for emergence of more innosson , build a strong economy for the South East and Nigeria at Large and the respect will naturally come.
Can I get a job there, I would be glad if you assist me