Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that it began local production of the Accord sedan in Nigeria, West Africa, where the automobile market is expected to expand in the future.

Honda Automobile Western Africa Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honda in Nigeria, established a new plant by installing automobile production facilities and equipment within the property of the existing Honda motorcycle production plant and began Accord production with annual production capacity of 1,000 units. This new plant is Honda’s first automobile production plant in Africa, according to the automaker.

Honda began motorcycle production and sales in Nigeria in 1980. Since then, Honda has been evolving its businesses in order that they take root in this region. In 2013, Honda established a local automobile business subsidiary and began the import and sales of Honda automobiles. Based on its longstanding commitment to “build products close to the customer” and by leveraging its knowledge and technique amassed through motorcycle business, Honda begins local production of automobiles for the customers of Nigeria, according to the automaker.

Honda said it views Africa as a new growth market. Honda has been expanding its motorcycle, automobile and power products business in the southern part of Africa through its local subsidiary established in South Africa in 2000. In Kenya, in the eastern part of Africa, Honda established an automobile sales office in December 2011, followed by the establishment of a motorcycle production and sales subsidiary in March 2013.