The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) is closing 2025 on a high note, pointing to major strides in policy, capacity building, and regional integration as catalysts for the continent's automotive industrialisation.
The year saw a leadership transition, with the appointment of Victoria Backhaus-Jerling as the new CEO in March, committing to building on the strong foundation laid by former CEO Dave Coffey, steering the organisation towards what it terms "inclusive and strategic industry leadership."
Victoria Backhaus-JerlingA significant operational move was the establishment of a dedicated North Africa office in Tunisia. This expansion is designed to bolster the association's footprint and directly support regional value chain development across the continent. Further strengthening its focus, AAAM also onboarded a dedicated project manager to drive the expansion of component manufacturing for both OEM assembly and the thriving aftermarket.
The association highlights a pivotal breakthrough for the sector: the conclusion of negotiations on the automotive Rules of Origin under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This long-awaited agreement provides critical clarity for manufacturers and investors, forming the legal bedrock for integrated regional value chains and increased intra-African trade. With adoption targeted for February 2026, AAAM has pledged its support to member states and institutions to ensure effective implementation.
Intra Africa Trade Fair in AligiersBuilding on this policy milestone, AAAM, in partnership with Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat, launched an Industrial Policy Executive Short Course. The programme brought together senior policymakers to enhance capabilities in industrial policy design, localisation, and value chain development—a move AAAM believes is essential for creating sustainable automotive ecosystems.
The association also maintained its high-profile advocacy role, convening the Africa Automotive Forum at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025). The event served as a key platform, sparking dialogue among policymakers, manufacturers, and financiers on affordable mobility, competitive value chains, and the power of intra-African trade to achieve scale.
"Our engagements across North, East, West, and Southern Africa, as well as key international markets, have reinforced the unique dynamics of each region," says Backhaus-Jerling. "Our expanded footprint and strengthened partnerships are geared towards supporting the financing and policy frameworks needed to turn industrial ambition into reality."
As the association looks to 2026, the focus shifts firmly to implementation. With the foundational policies now taking shape, AAAM states its mission is to drive deeper collaboration and build resilient, inclusive automotive value chains across the African continent.
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