Today’s guest blog was contributed by Oyihoma Saleh from the Global Prosperity group.
MCI Opportunities in Nigeria Series – Part 6 of 7
The sixth edition of our MCI opportunities in Nigeria blog series explores the mobility sector, where the market creation potential is vast and could unlock significant productivity gains, expand access to jobs and services, and drive inclusive economic growth.
Mobility fuels growth and opportunity
Mobility plays a foundational role in the development and growth of every economy–reducing costs and complexity of doing business, creating more employment opportunities, connecting producers to broader markets, and expanding access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and financial systems. A study in the US found that mobility was tightly linked to macroeconomic performance. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and GDP have historically grown in near lockstep: as people move more they produce and consume more, spurring investment in transportation infrastructure, increasing labour productivity and promoting regional economic integration–all of which contributes to an increase in economic prosperity.
Nigeria’s mobility gap: A Barrier to inclusive growth
Despite mobility’s pivotal role in driving economic advancement, Nigeria faces substantial obstacles in providing equitable access to efficient transportation. While mobility consumption rates reach 95.3% in high-income countries and 59% in middle-income nations, Nigeria lags far behind at just 22.3%. As a result, approximately 177 million Nigerians lack access to reliable, safe, or affordable transportation.
With only an estimated 11.8 million vehicles nationwide, the country remains dramatically underserved. The average Nigerian travels just 435 miles per year—significantly less than the 3,588 miles typical in middle-income countries and the roughly 11,000 miles in some high-income economies. Additionally, transportation is prohibitively expensive: the average taxi fare is $3.55 per mile, compared to $3 in the US, despite income levels being much lower in Nigeria. Furthermore, high upfront costs and limited access to credit exclude many potential drivers from the vehicle market, with Nigerians spending more than 500% of GDP per capita to purchase a used car.
All of these mobility constraints inflate the cost of basic goods, restrict access to essential services, widen the rural–urban divide, and contribute to poverty, poorer health outcomes, and social isolation.
The market-creating opportunity in mobility
Scaling access to affordable and reliable mobility solutions represents a powerful catalyst for Nigeria’s economic development. The country’s mobility sector is valued at $10.9 billion with a projected compound annual growth rate of 6.6% (2025–2029). Increasing vehicle ownership and expanding transport networks could potentially create a $13.8 billion market–driving GDP growth and empowering millions with better access to employment, education, healthcare, and markets.
In addition, mobility is among the most labour-intensive industries with immense potential for job creation. Applying benchmarks from India’s mobility industry, we estimate that at a productivity level of $2,000 per worker, this market could generate approximately 5 million jobs in Nigeria across areas such as fleet operations, logistics, vehicle maintenance, EV infrastructure, customer support and transport coordination.
Despite current barriers—such as a 70% import duty on vehicles—policy momentum is building. Government initiatives like the National Transport Policy and Executive Order No. 007, which offers tax credits for private road investment, are catalyzing public-private collaboration in infrastructure development. As demand rises and supportive policies take shape, Nigeria’s mobility ecosystem is increasingly ripe for innovation and investment.
Metro Africa Express (MAX)
Transforming mobility in Nigeria requires a collective, system-wide approach from key stakeholders across the entire value chain, including manufacturers, regulators, financial institutions, tech firms, and logistics providers.
One standout market-creating innovation in this space is MAX (Metro Africa Xpress), a tech-driven mobility platform that is expanding access to clean, affordable transportation across Africa. MAX addresses nonconsumption by offering lease-to-own electric vehicles bundled with training, insurance, maintenance, and access to markets. This model has enabled more than 55,000 riders to enter the transport economy—many of whom previously lacked the capital or resources to do so.
MAX has developed one of the most efficient solutions for scaling the distribution of electric motorcycles to average Nigerians, boosting productivity and increasing incomes. Drivers using MAX earn 65% more than their independent counterparts and benefit from a range of support services called “The MAX Advantage,” including emergency assistance and health insurance. The company’s subscription model eliminates the need for upfront payments and reduces operational costs, helping drivers build stable livelihoods. Additionally, MAX integrates energy partnerships and bulk procurement strategies to lower costs and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. With a team of 300 employees, over 48,000 jobs created and operations in several Nigerian cities, MAX has become a proven model for inclusive, scalable mobility innovation.
Moving forward
For Nigeria, increasing mobility consumption is essential for unlocking productivity and driving inclusive growth. Improved access to reliable, affordable transportation will empower millions of Nigerians, enabling them to participate more fully in the economy and access better job opportunities, education, healthcare, and markets. By scaling the mobility sector, the country can generate millions of jobs, reduce poverty, and strengthen regional integration. As innovations like MAX continue to transform the landscape, they will help bridge the mobility gap, creating a more connected and prosperous future for Nigeria.
For more of our MCI Opportunities in Nigeria Series, read:
Unlocking Opportunity: A New Vision for Eyecare in Nigeria
Unlocking Opportunity: Diagnosing a Market Gap in Nigeria
Unlocking Opportunity: How Poultry Can Catalyze Prosperity in Nigeria
Unlocking Opportunity: Pharmacies for better health
Unlocking Opportunity: Solar and the power of nonconsumption in Nigeria
