Toyota Snubs Nigeria, Opens Assembly Plant In Ghana

Japanese multinational automotive manufacture, Toyota on Wednesday snubbed Nigeria, the economic giant in West Africa, to open its second assembly plant in Ghana less than three months after American microblogging giant platform, Twitter also snubbed Nigeria for Ghana.

Just like Twitter, Toyota’s decision to open its second assembly plant in Ghana is based on the country’s African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and due to the serious commitment of the Japanese company and the equally serious commitment of the government of Ghana which the company described as very important.

"He is a great man as you know and we are counting on him for his leadership...because we are talking about the very commitment of Japanese company and equal the serious commitment of the government of Ghana is very important," Toyota said.

American microblogging giant platform Twitter also snubbed Nigerian for Ghana.

According to NOI polls, 39.6 million Nigerians have a Twitter account, which is more than the entire 32 million population of Ghana.

“As a champion for democracy, Ghana is a supporter of free speech, online freedom, and the Open Internet, of which Twitter is also an advocate. Furthermore, Ghana’s recent appointment to host The Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area aligns with our overarching goal to establish a presence in the region that will support our efforts to improve and tailor our service across Africa,” Twitter had said in a statement.

The assembly plant and, ultimately, producing cars in Ghana will end the trend of importing used vehicles to the country and increase exportations to other African countries including Nigeria and will produce an annual capacity of around 1,330 units of vehicles as well as spare parts.

Toyota assembly plant in Ghana

No doubt the development will increase Ghana's economy, new and highly skilled jobs will be created, the use of foreign exchange to import second-hand vehicles will be reduced, and, at the same time, the exports of Made in Ghana cars to other African markets will earn Ghana the much-needed foreign exchange thereby reduce Nigeria further to a country that solely relies on importation and borrowing to sustain its economy

Akufo-Addo commissions Toyota & Suzuki vehicle assembly plant. Image Credit: Aziboat

Nigerians blamed the poor management of Nigeria's economy, reliance on foreign products, and importation.

The current situation should, therefore, be an indicator for the federal government to evolve economic agenda that would boost the investment climate of the country.