E-Business
Carmudi Whitepaper Indicates Internet Pushing Automobile Sales to $89m in 2015
The global automotive sales for 2015 are expected to hit $89 million, a 2.4% growth from 2014, with an emerging market share rising from 50% in 2012 to 60% by 2020, while their share of global profits is also set to rise by 10%.
A Whitepaper on automobile by Carmudi, an online marketplace for cars revealed that internet is injecting fresh impetus into the market.
According to the Whitepaper, the current and future state of the automotive industry in Nigeria and other emerging markets is being driven by the increase in Internet and mobile penetration, rising GDP, and the emergence of a middle class.
Titled ‘The Booming Automotive Industry in Nigeria,’ the Whitepaper revealed that 83% of car buyers crawl on the Internet to conduct research on a car before making a purchase in Nigeria.
“Globally, auto E-Commerce has grown at such a staggering rate that now as many as 80% of new car customers and almost 100% of used car customers begin their car shopping experience online. With internet and mobile penetration significantly growing in emerging markets, the rate of moving the car shopping experience online is beginning to mirror that of Western Markets,” said Christian Keller, managing director, Carmudi, Anglophone West Africa while unveiling the Whitepaper to the media in Lagos.
The Whitepaper also revealed that the Nigeria’s auto industry remains relatively strong, but critical policy changes, like the National Automotive Industry Development Plan, have the potential to change the entire industry.
It added that 30% of car dealers in Nigeria reported an increase in car sales over the past twelve months due to the changing economic climate, while 50% of the car dealers surveyed reported a decrease.
Some Highlights Of The Whitepaper
The Shift to Online
83% of Nigerian car buyers reported turning to the internet, blogs, forums, and social media when researching cars.
The majority of Car Dealers responded that up to 80% of their customers turn to the internet and social media for auto research.
The responses also proved that offline media, including newspaper classifieds and auto expos (under 10%), are declining as a source for buyers.
Nigerian car dealers are also getting more and more digital when advertising their listings.
Around 80% of car dealers are now primarily focused on advertising their car listings online.
William Anumudu, CEO of Globe Motors said, “Currently, the number of people turning to the internet to for car purchases been on the increase. A lot of people use the internet to search for information, products or services. Any business that wants to excel must go digital. This is due to the fact that Nigerians like to be associated with new trends, the internet is accessible anywhere and the fact that information is at their fingertips. Since people are embracing the internet all businesses online will profit.”
The Future Of Car Sales Market In Nigeria
Nigeria has been heavily dependent on auto imports, which account for the largest share of the country’s foreign reserves each year.
New vehicle assembly plants are expected, and the number of imported cars has already declined significantly – from 11,563 in January to 7,400 units in February.
Last month’s historic election of Muhammadu Buhari has generated uncertainty surrounding the auto sector. Although the party is pro-business, some industry stakeholders disagree with elements of the Autos policy, such as second-hand dealers who will lose out from the 70% tax on imports, or who would like to see full implementation of the policy deferred.
Buhari could choose to reverse all or some sections of the Automotive policy to secure more support with these stakeholders.
Keller, added, “2015 is the year of online car sales in Nigeria. With an unmatched growth rate in online car searches in Nigeria and a rapidly growing middle class, Carmudi´s report affirms that our investments to become the No. 1 online car marketplace in Nigeria were worth it.”
E-Business
MRA Flags AI Concerns ahead of Press Freedom Day Today

Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has unveiled a visual brief emphasizing the critical need for responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism, particularly within Nigeria’s evolving media environment.
This is coming ahead of World Press Freedom Day today.
The visual brief, developed under this year’s global theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” explores the opportunities and dangers AI poses to media freedom in Nigeria and across the world.
In a statement released in Lagos by John Gbadamosi, its programme officer,MRA noted that AI is quickly changing the way news is produced and consumed, adding that it offers powerful tools that can assist journalists in analysing data, translating stories into local languages, and extend the reach of vital information, especially to underserved areas with limited media infrastructure.
Gbadamosi added that AI can help to ensure that essential news and information are also disseminated to local communities.
However, Gbadamosi warned that the same technology is being weaponised to undermine truth and press freedom, saying: “While AI can be used to advance journalism, it can just as easily be exploited to spread disinformation, create deepfakes, and drown out independent voices with algorithmically generated propaganda.”
According to him, “In Nigeria, journalists face threats that go beyond just physical dangers; such threats now also encompass digital, algorithmic, and systemic harms and challenges, which requires media professionals to ensure that AI enhances, rather than undermines, media freedom and that technology is used to promote the truth, not distort it.”
“The visual brief breaks down key concepts like misinformation, disinformation, mal-information, and information overload, which are increasingly shaping Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem. It also raises concerns about AI-enabled surveillance, political manipulation, and the marginalisation of community-based journalists.”
Gbadamosi stated that the visual brief also advocates support for independent media, transparent AI regulations aligned with Nigeria’s context, increased digital literacy, and stronger accountability from tech companies regarding platform content and influence.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to advocate for responsible AI usage and a free, independent, professional and vibrant media environment in Nigeria, stressing that “when media freedom thrives, democracy lives.”
E-Business
Nigerians to Pay More for IDs as NIMC Raises Service Fees

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has raised the fees for all its products and services, including charges related to data modification on the National Identification Number (NIN) database.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Kayode Adegoke, NIMC’s Head of Corporate Communications, announced that the updated service fees are published on the commission’s official website.
Adegoke noted that the new pricing structure for NIMC’s services and products marks the first comprehensive review of its fees in over a decade.
The statement stated that the revised pricing is designed to align with prevailing operational costs and industry standards, while continuing to ensure that services remain accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.
The statement warned its Front-End Partners (FEPs) to comply with the newly approved rates, stating that any failure to do so could attract strict sanctions, including possible license revocation.
“The new structure ensures that the quality and integrity of our services remain uncompromised. We are committed to protecting the interests of Nigerians through fair and transparent pricing,” the statement read.
NIMC urged the public to report any Front-End Partners (FEPs) found charging beyond the approved rates. Reports can be directed to the Commission’s Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit via email at ieu@nimc.gov.ng
It further reaffirmed its commitment to delivering secure and dependable identity services. A complete list of the revised service fees can be accessed on its official website at www.nimc.gov.ng.
In a related development, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), expressed sincere appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support in enhancing the National Identity Database (NIDB).
She also extended her gratitude to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and other key partners for their pivotal roles in advancing a sustainable and effective identity management system.
E-Business
PwC says AI Adoption by African Businesses will Unlock Growth

Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption could boost Africa’s gross domestic product by an additional 4.9 percentage points by 2035, as the African economy is reshaped by the emerging technology.
This is according to PwC’s recently released report: Value in Motion. It is based on data-driven scenario analysis, which reveals that globally, AI has the potential to boost economic output by up to 15 percentage points over the next decade.
The global growth dividend from AI varies according to the region and depends on more than technical success – it also hinges on responsible deployment, clear governance, and public and organisational trust, notes the report.
This would effectively add one percentage point to annual growth rates − on par with the growth increment the world began enjoying with 19th century industrialisation.
In other scenarios analysed by PwC, characterised by lower trust and co-operation, the incremental boost to the economy from AI would be more muted at 8%, or in a pessimistic scenario just 1%.
The research finds that rapid reconfiguration of the economy is already under way. PwC analysis indicates the pressure for African businesses to reinvent themselves is at some of the highest levels seen in the last 25 years across six out of nine sectors in Africa.
The $150.54 billion in revenue in Africa is set to shift between companies in 2025 alone, a trend that begun prior to the recent global increase in tariffs.
PwC’s research suggests that over the next decade, industries will reconfigure to meet human needs in new ways, leading to the formation of new ‘domains’ that cross traditional sector lines.
Dion Shango, PwC Africa CEO, explains: “As the structure of the economy transforms, value will increasingly come from organisations that can connect the dots across traditional industry boundaries. By focusing on evolving customer needs and using technology to dramatically change the way business operates, business leaders can unlock a step change in growth.”
According to Google’s Digital Opportunity of Africa report, AI could contribute up to $30 billion to Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy by 2030. Africa stands to accelerate its growth through AI as more people gain connectivity and harness technology for good, it notes.
“Across the continent, a new generation of innovators are harnessing technology to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” says Google.
In terms of AI’s impact on the climate, PwC’s analysis shows that while AI is set to accelerate growth, the costs of physical climate threats will impose economic constraints.
PwC’s economic modelling suggests that physical climate impacts could result in the African economy being over 12%smaller (globally: 7%) by 2035 in all scenarios than it would have been otherwise.
“Increased AI adoption is expected to lead to increased energy use by data centres. However, modest use of AI to drive energy-efficiency could offset this increased use of energy. PwC estimates that the energy use and emissions impact of AI would be neutral if each additional percentage point of AI use led to innovations which cut energy intensity by just 0.1% globally,” says the report.
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