- Branch office opened in Nigeria
- Excellent growth potential in Nigeria, Africa's largest and most populous economy
- Bosch to have a presence in ten African countries by end of the year
- Already 760 associates on the continent
The Bosch Group is focusing on the growing African market and is continuing to expand its presence on the continent. The global supplier of technology and services has opened a new sales and service company in Lagos, Nigeria. "Africa offers great potential for our business," said Uwe Raschke, a member of the Bosch board of management, at the official opening ceremony. "The economic forecasts for many African countries are very promising: the population is growing rapidly, the average age is low, and the purchasing power of the emerging middle class is rising." This is particularly true for Nigeria, he added. With more than 170 million people, Nigeria is the continent's most populous country and the largest African economy. "Our new sales office in Lagos gives us outstanding access to the western African market and allows us to better serve the growing demand for our products and services. The metropolis is the region's economic hub and is developing extremely dynamically," Raschke said.
More quality of life for a growing middle class
Bosch generated total sales of around 350 million euros in Africa in 2014 and currently employs 760 associates on the continent. Including the new branch office in Nigeria, the company will be represented in ten African countries by the end of 2015. "We have also had a local presence in Kenya, Angola, and Mozambique since last year. Now we are looking to further expand our presence in western and northern Africa. Just a few days ago, we announced a new Bosch branch office in Algeria, and we plan to officially open sales offices in Ghana and Tunisia before the end of the year," said Markus Thill, the Bosch Group's representative in Africa. "This will allow us to do an even better job of promoting our business in Africa. Our goal is to be closer to our customers and improve quality of life for the people in Africa on a lasting basis with our innovative products and solutions," Thill added.
Cooperation for enhancing specialist knowledge at automotive workshops
In October 2014, Bosch signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government's National Automobile Council (NAC) to set up an alliance. The alliance aims to expand the automotive workshop network in Nigeria and enhance mechanics' specialist knowledge. As the number of vehicles on Nigeria's roads rises, so does the need for qualified repair and service workshops. Bosch and the NAC plan to offer technical training as well as innovative products and solutions in the areas of workshop equipment and diagnostic technology. "By way of this alliance, we hope to make a contribution to improving the technological expertise of local workers in the automotive industry. This will benefit both the Nigerian economy and our business in the country," Thill said.
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