Dangote Industries has strengthened its position in Nigeria's automotive sector with the launch of the latest Peugeot car model, expanding local assembly capacity and boosting the domestic auto industry. The company's subsidiary, Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN), has begun assembling the GT model of the Peugeot 3008, a globally successful and award-winning SUV, at its state-of-the-art assembly plant in Kaduna.

The Peugeot 3008 GT, equipped with a high-performance 1.6-liter turbo engine, marks a significant step in Dangote's commitment to boosting local vehicle production and enhancing Nigeria's auto industry. This move is expected to reduce the country's reliance on imports and drive industrial growth.

DPAN has been expanding its lineup since its inception, starting with the local assembly of the Peugeot 301 at its Kaduna plant. The company has since added the Landtrek pickup, 3008, 5008, and the latest 508 models to its product range. This latest development further solidifies DPAN's position as a key player in Nigeria's automotive sector.

The assembly of the Peugeot 3008 GT in Nigeria is a significant milestone, following the brand's first assembly of the 3008 model in Africa, which took place in Ghana in 2022. The Ghanaian 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.

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, DPAN began operations. The company operates from the Greenfield Ultima Assembly Plant in Kaduna, with a daily capacity of 120 vehicles.

In addition to its passenger vehicle assembly, Dangote has also expanded into commercial vehicles with the launch of 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 is gaining momentum, with key players like Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Stallion Group, Nord, and Dangote Group boosting the local vehicle assembly market and 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.

The launch of the new Peugeot vehicle is a significant step towards achieving these goals, and Dangote's commitment to the domestic auto industry is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy.