Auto
Nigerian Firm to Launch Marketplace for Original Auto Spare Parts

By Adedapo Adesanya
A Nigerian platform, Mecho Autotech, which provides global automotive spare parts and vehicle repairs and maintenance services, has announced plans to launch a marketplace for high-quality aftermarket spare parts and original OEM spare parts for wholesalers and enterprise fleet owners.
This is as it plans to launch version 2.0 of its vehicle management app that connects vehicle owners to qualified and vetted mechanics in the third quarter of this year.
In a statement on Wednesday, the auto-maintenance firm announced that the soon-to-be-launched products signal a shift in strategy as Mecho looks to double down on improving Nigeria’s $6 billion fragmented and informal automotive aftersales market, which is characterized by substandard automotive spare parts and frequent stockouts.
Among its new features, customers can access financing to pay for vehicle repairs and maintenance to preserve their cash flow. After undergoing an easy and fast verification process, eligible customers can receive overdrafts of up to N10 million, which are deposited in the Mecho app wallet.
Customers also have more flexible servicing options: they can drop off their vehicles at any of Mecho’s 100 partner workshops in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt or arrange for pick-up.
In the improved 2.0 Mecho app, customers can track all their expenses, maintenance requests, and vehicle history, while corporate fleet owners can manage multiple mechanics, including Mecho and other 3rd party service providers, to streamline the maintenance and repairs process in one easy-to-use app.
Mecho will also roll out an IOT integration allowing corporate fleet owners to track their vehicles on the 2.0 vehicle management app, which will be free to use.
The intended Mecho Mart, a marketplace for high-quality aftermarket and original OEM spare parts for wholesalers and enterprise fleet owners, will allow customers to buy genuine auto parts like tires, shock absorbers, brake pads, lubricants, and filters.
Using the marketplace, spare parts wholesalers can stock up on inventory with top-quality parts, secure financing, and increase profit by avoiding stockouts.
With support from Global Brains, a Japanese venture capital firm that invested a seven-figure sum in the company, Mecho aims to build partnerships with global automotive aftermarket spare parts manufacturers to source genuine and affordable spare parts to build a reliable vehicle spare parts supply chain in Nigeria.
Speaking on this, the CEO/co-founder of the firm, Mr Olusegun Owoade, said, “We learned that we had to prioritize fixing the broken automotive spare parts supply chain — a more urgent problem in the industry and a bigger driver of its value.”
“Spare parts represent $6 billion out of Nigeria’s $8 billion vehicle aftersales market. Since we pivoted our business, we have serviced more than 50 corporate fleet owners and spare parts wholesalers and provided spare parts from 5 global automotive manufacturers. By improving the availability of high-quality spare parts, we believe that we can play a role in improving Nigerians’ vehicle longevity and road safety,” he said.
Founded in 2021 by Messrs Olusegun Owoade and Ayoola Akinkunmi, Mecho Autotech offers repair and maintenance services to businesses and consumers through in-house and third-party service capacity, which has passed rigorous assessments.
Auto
Lagos Hikes BRT Fares by 18% Over High Operational Costs

By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has increased fares for the Bus Rapid Transit better known as BRT across the state.
According to the Lagos State agency, an 18 per cent increment on all the routes will take effect from Monday, February 17, 2025.
This will impact Lagos commuters who already have to contend with high cost of food and energy amid a wider cost of living crisis in the country. Businesses are also not exempt as many workers commute to their various destinations via BRT buses.
“Please be informed that there will be an 18 percent increase in the bus fare on all Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes,” part of the notice read.
“The fare increase is because of the increase in the cost of operations and the need to ensure that buses keep running and guarantee your movement around Lagos,” it added.
LAMATA called for the “understanding and cooperation” of passengers amidst the increment.
The Lagos State government had in November 2023 cancelled the 50 per cent transport fare discount on all BRT and reverted to the old prices.
“The 50 per cent rebate in transport fare in the regulated transport system in Lagos ends on Sunday,” LAMATA said then. “The statement informed commuters that starting “from Monday, November 6, 2023, transport fare will return to the pre-2nd August 2023 rate.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had in July of that year reduced the transport fares for the state-owned buses and commercial buses by 25 per cent on all routes.
The moves were parts of efforts to cushion the impacts of the removal of fuel subsidy by the President Bola Tinubu government.
Mr Sanwo-Olu also said his administration was expanding its fleet of staff buses for workers in the Lagos State Public Service.
He said that the buses are ready and will be deployed through the office of the Head of Service of the state.
Auto
Dangote Peugeot Introduces Landtrek Pickup Truck into Nigerian Auto Market

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The official manufacturer and marketer of the Peugeot brand of vehicles in Nigeria, Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN), has introduced the Peugeot Landtrek pickup truck into the Nigerian auto market.
The Peugeot Landtrek 4×2 vehicle is a pickup truck with a rear-wheel drive system with a 2.4-litre engine workhorse. It is part of the Peugeot Landtrek pick-up truck range with a reputation for ruggedness.
Business Post reports that the introduction of this commercial vehicle coincides with the assembly of the GT model of the wave-making Peugeot 3008 in Nigeria by the firm.
With its 1.6-litre high-performance turbo engine, the Peugeot 3008 GT has expanded the existing line-up of vehicles from the assembly lines of the modern plant that opened some years ago in Kaduna.
The new 3008 GT is joining the existing ‘Made-in-Nigeria Peugeot’ range that includes the popular 301 sedan, and the 5008 (a large, seven-seater known for its spacious interior, stylish design, and modern technology features).
Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited is jointly owned by billionaire businessman and mega industrialist, Mr Aliko Dangote, through his Dangote Industries Limited; Kaduna, Plateau and Kebbi State Governments; and the technical partner (Stellantis Group, the parent company of Peugeot).
The Chief Commercial Officer of Dangote Peugeot, Umar Isa-Kaita, disclosed recently that the automaker has been holding discussions with some auto companies towards expanding the Peugeot sales and after-sales network by accrediting dealerships in parts of Nigeria.
Auto
IGP Orders Enforcement of Third-Party Insurance From February 1

By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have been directed to commence the enforcement of the mandatory third-party insurance for vehicle owners from Saturday, February 1, 2025.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, in a statement signed by the force spokesman, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday night, said nothing would change the due enforcement of the policy nationwide from tomorrow.
It was stated that the mandatory third party insurance is to reinforce road safety measures and ensure that all vehicle owners comply with the stipulated insurance requirements to protect themselves and others on the road.
The police, therefore, cautioned motorists against non-compliance with “this essential regulation,” emphasising that, “Failure to possess valid third party insurance will result in strict enforcement actions, including fines or penalties or both, as mandated by relevant extant laws.”
“Effective February 1, all vehicle owners nationwide are required to possess valid third-party insurance as they move about, and those without the Insurance, are advised to be insured quickly to avoid any sort of embarrassment.
“The IGP has directed all state Commissioners of Police to ensure due enforcement, as police officers will be empowered to conduct checks and enforce penalties for non-compliance in line with relevant extant laws.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to enhancing road safety and protecting the lives of all citizens through the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations. Cooperation from members of the public in this crucial endeavour is much appreciated,” the statement said.
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