Lagos: Nigeria must strengthen local engineering capacity and invest in indigenous technology to compete effectively in the global economy, says Mr Fatai Quadri, Chief Executive Officer, Alfa Designs Nigeria Ltd. Quadri emphasized the importance of supporting innovation, empowering manufacturers, and promoting local engineering solutions for sustainable development.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Quadri highlighted that Alfa Designs was established to improve lives through engineering solutions within the oil and gas sector. “Every investment and innovation we pursue is driven by that vision,” he stated. The company has heavily invested in research and development, producing indigenous technologies capable of competing with international products, such as the patented SmartCom Unit designed to enhance surface wellhead operations.
Quadri noted that engineering excellence is not limited to any region, asserting that African professionals have the expertise to develop world-class technologies. On energy transition, he mentioned that Alfa Design has become an active player through investments in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure and technology, including producing conversion kits and designing gas transfer equipment.
He emphasized that the company’s involvement in the sector extends beyond profit-making to addressing national challenges through sustainable, market-driven solutions. “Our objective is to make CNG adoption economically attractive by helping users recover investments through long-term fuel savings,” he explained.
Quadri expressed Alfa Designs’ aim to remain a major contributor to Nigeria’s industrial development and economic growth over the next five years. He acknowledged government efforts in local content policies but pointed out that bureaucracy continues to limit their effectiveness. He recommended streamlined approvals, stronger inter-agency coordination, and improved public awareness of available incentives.
Addressing financing challenges, Quadri cited delayed payments, legacy debts, and extended settlement periods as factors increasing financial risks for lenders. He called for reforms to improve payment discipline and restore investor confidence, advocating for greater support for local manufacturing, technology development, affordable financing, and tax incentives for indigenous firms.
Quadri highlighted the importance of expanding local production to reduce capital flight, conserve foreign exchange, and create employment opportunities. He cited the SmartCom Unit as proof of local capability, advocating for prioritizing locally developed technologies that meet required technical standards.
He also pointed out Alfa Designs’ achievements in greenhouse gas monitoring and fugitive emissions management, revealing the establishment of Africa’s only authorized Optical Gas Imaging operator training center in Lagos. This facility enables Nigerian professionals to obtain certification locally, reducing dependence on overseas training programs.
Quadri explained that greenhouse gas monitoring has become a global compliance requirement due to emissions contributing to climate change. Alfa Designs’ investments have reduced reliance on foreign specialists for greenhouse gas monitoring services by over 50 percent.
He stressed that meaningful industrial growth requires commitment to local content beyond policy declarations and urged government, operators, and industry stakeholders to support indigenous engineering firms delivering globally competitive solutions. “Every successful local innovation retains wealth, creates jobs, builds expertise, and contributes to national development. We must be serious about building our own capacity. No country develops without investing in local industries and engineering talent,” he concluded.