Japanese Automaker Suzuki To Set Up Vehicle Plant In Ghana

Suzuki’s General Manager in-charge of Middle East and Africa, Koichi Suzuki has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to reveal the Japanese automaker’s intention of making Ghana the hub of its operations in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mr. Suzuki said the company, which joins Volkswagen, Nissan, Renault and China’s Sinotruck in their plans to set up assembly plants in Ghana, intends siting its distribution and after-sales service centre in the country in partnership with Compagnie Française de l’Afrique Occidentale (CFAO).

He said the company, in collaboration with Toyota Tsusho, the trading arm of the Toyota Group that has the largest distribution network in Africa, intends to “find a next India on the African continent”.

Mr Suzuki said with the Government of Ghana introducing a new automotive policy “We are highly interested to participate in the initiative made by the Ghanaian government to start production here to expand it and to grow it.”

“We firmly believe that our next growth will come here in Africa”

“we want to contribute to the further development of African countries…Our vision is with Africa and for Africa.”

On his part, President Akufo-Addo was encouraged by the decision of Suzuki to want to put up shop in Ghana, saying, the development was a welcomed one, as foreign direct investments into Ghana would spur development and economic growth.

Suzuki produces annually 3.3 million affordable but reliable, safe and fuel-efficient vehicles, with engine capacities less than 1.6litres via its production plant in India.

In 2016,the Japanese multinational corporation was the eleventh biggest  automaker by production worldwide.