By|| Goodluck E. Adubazi || Abuja
A Nigerian entrepreneur has formally launched My Car Importer, a technology-driven automotive logistics platform aimed at resolving long-standing operational and financial challenges facing car dealers in the country’s importation market.
Speaking to News men at a cocktail event held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Saturday, February 28, 2026, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Valentine Uzuegbu, said the new platform is designed to close communication gaps, improve transparency, and streamline the vehicle importation process from international auctions to final delivery in Nigeria.
On bridging a Costly Communication gap,
Uzuegbu described the Nigerian vehicle importation sector as “deeply opaque,” citing poor coordination, fragmented logistics, and limited visibility between auction yards abroad and Nigerian ports.
“The industry has been devoid of communication and structure,” he said. “Dealers often win auctions, but what determines their actual profit is everything that happens after that win — trucking, shipping, classification, documentation, exchange rate volatility and unexpected charges.”
According to him, My Car Importer operates as a process management company rather than a car trading business. The platform provides end-to-end transaction oversight, including cost analysis before bidding, risk evaluation, documentation management, trucking coordination, shipping classification guidance and real-time tracking updates.
“We are not here to compete with car dealers,” Uzuegbu emphasized. “We are here to support them and protect their margins.”
Addressing Delays from Major Global Markets
My Car Importer founder said : “The company’s pilot phase will focus on imports from the United States, Canada and China into Nigeria, with plans to expand to Ghana and the Benin Republic in subsequent phases.
Uzuegbu noted that shipment timelines from the U.S. to Nigeria average approximately six weeks, but procedural errors and incomplete documentation frequently cause avoidable delays and additional charges.
For example, incorrect auction documentation, failure to declare a vehicle as non-operational, or neglecting to indicate forklift requirements can result in penalties, storage fees of up to $60 per day, and extra logistics costs ranging from $300 to $650.
“Importation is not a buying business; it is a process management business,” he said. “The auction price only determines potential profit. Everything else determines actual profit.”
Tackling Vehicle Classification Disputes
My car Importer noted a lot of key industry pain point involves vehicle shipping classifications — whether a vehicle qualifies as “run and drive,” “non-runner,” or requires forklift handling.
Vehicles that cannot start, have severe suspension damage, locked steering, or major structural impact often attract additional handling fees. Disputes frequently arise when dealers are unaware of these risks before purchase.
My Car Importer says it is integrating photo analysis tools and inspection reviews at the pre-bid stage to help dealers assess the likelihood of additional shipping charges before committing to a transaction.
Naira-Based Payments to Hedge FX Volatility
Another major innovation announced is a naira-denominated payment solution. Uzuegbu disclosed that the company is partnering with payment gateways to enable dealers to make auction, trucking and shipping payments in naira, while the company handles dollar sourcing and settlement.
Dealers typically make multiple dollar-denominated payments — for auctions, trucking and shipping — before clearing vehicles in naira at Nigerian ports. Fluctuating exchange rates and delayed payments often erode margins and trigger storage penalties.
“Our goal is to remove the uncertainty around exchange rates and late payments,” Uzuegbu said. “Dealers should focus on selling cars, not chasing dollars.”
Technology as the Core Differentiator
Co-founder Arinze described the platform as a technology-first logistics coordinator designed to automate documentation flows, provide shipment tracking, and issue stage-by-stage notifications from purchase to arrival in Lagos.
“Most of the issues in this industry come from lack of visibility,” he said. “We are introducing constant communication, structured tracking and verified trucking partnerships to eliminate avoidable losses.”
The company is also building a network of vetted truckers to ensure faster vehicle movement from auction yards to the nearest seaports, reducing storage costs and turnaround time.
From Personal Experience to Industry Solution
Uzuegbu revealed that the idea for My Car Importer was born out of a personal experience in 2019, when he attempted to import a 2010 Toyota Corolla and encountered delays, poor communication and cost overruns.
“That experience exposed a major service gap,” he said.
“I saw hardworking dealers whose businesses depend on turning inventory quickly, yet their operations were constantly disrupted by inefficiencies in the import chain.” he added
He described the venture as both a commercial opportunity and a responsibility to structure a fragmented sector.
On the Phase Rollout and Industry Outlook
The company will roll out its services in phases, beginning with Nigeria as its primary market before expanding regionally.
While acknowledging that operational challenges may arise, the founders expressed confidence in their team’s ability to manage issues proactively through structured oversight and digital coordination.
Joshua Agu, Founder Outbox Experience belaud my Car Importer initiative which he said will help address the perennial challenges in the Nigeria importation market, other Industry players also commended the initiative say the success of the platform will depend on execution, adoption by dealers, and its ability to deliver measurable cost savings in a market increasingly pressured by currency volatility and tightening consumer demand.
For now, My Car Importer is positioning itself as a logistics and transparency partner — aiming to shift Nigeria’s vehicle importation business from a reactive transaction model to a structured, technology-managed process.
