Automechanika: Successful roadshow to 6 African countries

The Automechanika Johannesburg team has wrapped up a successful roadshow across six key African countries, aimed at engaging automotive aftermarket buyers and promoting the upcoming Automechanika Johannesburg trade show slated for the 19th to 21st November 2024 at NASREC Johannesburg.

24 Auto Mech1

The roadshow, strategically planned based on exhibitor feedback, covered the most requested destinations for automotive trade engagement: Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; Nairobi, Kenya; Kigali, Rwanda; Lusaka, Zambia; and Harare, Zimbabwe. This initiative was driven by exhibitor demand to strengthen connections across the continent.

In Lagos, Nigeria, the team was warmly received at the ASPAMDA Auto Parts Market, guided by Onyezor Jasper Any, Chairperson of the Foreign Trade Committee. The highlight was a joint presentation with Automechanika Dubai, showcasing the mutual benefits of both events to Nigerian aftermarket buyers.

Moving to Accra, Ghana, the team engaged with key stakeholders from the Ministry of Trade and the Ghana Investment Promotion Agency, reinforcing the importance of industry collaboration and investment in the automotive sector.

Nairobi, Kenya, welcomed representatives from major automotive aftermarket companies eager to explore opportunities at Automechanika Johannesburg. The visit to Kigali, Rwanda, supported by Rwanda Investment Promotion, included a notable meeting with Volkswagen CEO Serge Kamuhinda, highlighting Rwanda's growing automotive potential.

The roadshow continued to Lusaka, Zambia, where local professionals showed keen interest, many of whom were attending their first Automechanika event. In Harare, Zimbabwe, the session attracted a large group of automotive professionals, with insights from Brighton Ganda of EY on industry trends and productive discussions with Zimtrade officials.

"We are thrilled with the outcome of our roadshow across Africa," says Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, the organisers of Automechanika Johannesburg. "The enthusiastic response from industry leaders and professionals underscores the growing importance of regional collaboration in the automotive aftermarket. We were warmly received wherever we went across the continent."

More Industry News stories

Interest rate drop is good news, says NADA

Interest rate drop is good news, says NADA

The Reserve Bank (SARB) has announced a 25-basis-point cut to the repo rate, reducing it to 7%. As a result, the prime lending rate for commercial banks will drop to 10.50%.

  • 1 August 2025
AAAM appoints new project manager

AAAM appoints new project manager

The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) is accelerating its efforts to strengthen industrialisation and develop Africa's automotive value chain through the appointment of a new Project Manager.

  • 1 August 2025
AI investments put insurance companies at risk

AI investments put insurance companies at risk

While artificial intelligence (AI) investments offer substantial growth and profitability opportunities for insurance companies, they also introduce new risks that could significantly impact financial performance and credit ratings if not properly managed, according to Morningstar DBRS analysts.

  • 1 August 2025