Gifty Lovelock Naana Fianu, General Secretary of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association of Ghana, says Africa must attract manufacturing companies to partner with local producers so the continent can make its own goods and export them worldwide.

In an exclusive interview at the Equip Auto Executive breakfast meeting with automobile dealers ahead of the _International Exhibition for Automotive Mobility and Industrial Vehicles, she stressed that Africa cannot continue to rely on imported vehicles that eventually become waste on the continent.

Ms. Fianu noted that while Africa can trade among itself under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, trade barriers are still blocking progress.

“My battery manufactured in Kenya
that is a solid African product and we should enjoy AfCFTA benefits. But my product is not yet harmonized. And this harmonization issue is not one country’s problem, it affects the whole continent,” she said.

“ECOWAS must look at this situation and harmonize standards so we can compete with Chinese and other products. When that happens, prices will be moderate for everyone to buy,” she added.

She emphasized that Equip Auto Côte d’Ivoire 2026 should be used as a platform to push for unified standards, local production, and regional trade that works for African manufacturers and dealers.

Report by Bernard K Dadzie Greater Accra Region