Home Hall of Fame 2025 EdaFace Prize Winner Article
In 2007, Innocent Chukwuma, winner of the 2025 EdaFace Prize, founded Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (IVM), aiming to produce affordable vehicles tailored to Nigerian needs and African roads. This is the first indigenous motor vehicle manufacturing in Africa!
2025 EdaFace Prize Official Announcement!
Headquartered in Nnewi, Anambra State, IVM has become a symbol of African industrialization and innovation, earning the nickname “Pride of African Roads.”
• Founded: 2007
• Founder: Chief Innocent Chukwuma Nwala
• Headquarters: No. 95 Owerri Road, Umudim, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria
• Website: innosonvehicles.com
• Market Reach: Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Sierra Leone, and expanding to Congo and Côte d’Ivoire.
Approximately 70% of IVM vehicle components are manufactured locally, with the remainder sourced from countries like Japan, China, and Germany.
IVM offers a diverse range of vehicles tailored to African terrains and consumer needs. They include:
• Sedans & Compact Cars:
o IVM Caris (based on Forthing Jingyi S50)
o IVM Fox (inspired by Volkswagen Fox)
o IVM Umu
• SUVs & Crossovers:
o IVM G5, G5T, G6T, G40, G80
• MPVs & Buses:
o IVM G20 Smart, Ikenga, Capa
o IVM Mini Bus, Uzo
• Pickups & Trucks:
o IVM Carrier 4WD, Granite
• Special Vehicles:
o Electric Vehicles (EVs)
o Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered vehicles
o Tricycles (Keke)
IVM has significantly enhanced its production capabilities as follows:
• Production Capacity: Increased from 10,000 to 60,000 vehicles annually through automation upgrades.
• Local Content: Approximately 65% of vehicle components are sourced locally, promoting indigenous manufacturing.
• Certifications: ISO 9001:2015 and MANCAP certifications, affirming adherence to international quality standards.
IVM is actively expanding its footprint. Here are some of them:
• New Plants:
o Owerri, Imo State: Dedicated to big and city buses.
o Umuezena Umudim, Nnewi: Focused on heavy-duty vehicles.
o University of Nigeria, Nsukka: Collaborating on a 20HP agricultural tractor project named “Lion IVM.”
• International Ventures:
o Plans to establish assembly plants in Sierra Leone, Congo, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire.
o Signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with these West African countries to set up assembly plants.
• Government Collaborations:
o Supplying vehicles to Nigerian military and police forces.
o Partnership with the Nigerian Air Force for maintenance and development of aerospace ground equipment.
IVM is committed to sustainable automotive solutions:
• Electric Vehicles: Unveiled its first locally made electric vehicle in September 2024.
• CNG/LNG Vehicles: Launched a range of gas-powered vehicles, including buses and trucks, in April 2023, offering cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives.
IVM plays a vital role in Nigeria’s socio-economic development:
• Employment: Employs over 7,000 individuals, predominantly Nigerian youths.
• Affordability: Offers brand-new vehicles at prices competitive with used imports, enhancing accessibility.
• Recognition: Received the Africa Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM) Bank African Brand of the Year award in 2019.
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