Africa Automotive - All eyes on Algeria for IATF2025

Algiers is set to become the epicentre of Africa’s automotive industry as it hosts the Africa Automotive Show, a flagship event at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025. From September 4 to 10, 2025, the Democratic People’s Republic of Algeria will welcome industry leaders, innovators and policymakers to what promises to be a transformative gathering for the continent’s automotive sector.

Organised by Afreximbank, the African Union, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the event builds on the momentum of IATF 2023 in Cairo, where trade deals worth a staggering $43,8-billion were sealed, attracting more than 28 000 visitors and 1 939 exhibitors.

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The Africa Automotive Show is more than just an exhibition; it’s a strategic platform designed to accelerate the growth of Africa’s automotive industry. With intra-African trade currently accounting for just 14% of the continent’s global trade, the event aims to boost collaboration, innovation and investment in a sector that is increasingly seen as a cornerstone of Africa’s economic future.

Africa’s automotive potential is no longer a distant dream but a tangible reality. The continent is fast becoming a hub for both local and international players, with the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) leading the charge.

Victoria Backhaus-Jerling, AAAM’s newly appointed CEO, describes the moment as pivotal: “Our goal is to elevate the African market demand to between three and five million units by 2035,” she says. “This is a significant leap from where we are today, but it’s achievable with the right collaboration and investment.”

Victoria Backhaus-Jerling

The Africa Automotive Show will feature a two-day forum alongside a dedicated exhibition, creating a space for dialogue, partnership and progress. The event will bring together stakeholders from across the automotive value chain, including raw material suppliers, manufacturers, dealers and financial partners. It will also serve as a platform to showcase Africa’s achievements in the sector while laying the groundwork for future growth.

The 2023 edition of IATF in Cairo set a high bar, demonstrating the power of collaboration and the potential of intra-African trade. The Africa Automotive Show at IATF 2025 aims to build on this success, with a particular focus on advancing the continental automotive strategy approved by AfCFTA member states earlier this year.

This strategy, developed with input from AAAM, Afreximbank, and the AfCFTA Secretariat, aims to strengthen regional supply chains, boost local manufacturing, and promote African-made solutions.

One of the key challenges facing the industry is the dominance of used vehicle imports, which currently account for a significant portion of Africa’s automotive market.

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Backhaus-Jerling emphasises the need for a phased approach to reducing these imports. “The volume of used vehicles dilutes the opportunity for local manufacturing and after-sales services,” she explains. “By investing in local production, we can create jobs, empower communities, and build a resilient intra-African supply chain.”

As the host nation, Algeria is poised to play a leading role in shaping the future of Africa’s automotive industry. The country has recently implemented policy reforms to attract investment and boost local manufacturing. Major assembly plants, such as those operated by Stellantis, have already been established, signalling Algeria’s commitment to driving industrialisation and inspiring similar developments across the continent.

Algeria’s strategic location and growing infrastructure make it an ideal host for the Africa Automotive Show. The event will not only showcase the country’s progress but also highlight its potential as a key player in Africa’s automotive ecosystem.

The Africa Automotive Show is more than just a trade event; it’s a gateway to an integrated African market of some 1,3-billion people and a combined GDP exceeding $3,5-trillion. Enabled by the AfCFTA, this market represents a wealth of opportunities for industry players, from raw material suppliers and manufacturers to dealers and aftermarket providers.

Andrew Binning, Director of the Africa Automotive Show, describes the event as the ultimate platform for industry stakeholders. “Our vision is to unite players from every corner of Africa and beyond,” he says. “This is where the future of Africa’s automotive industry will be shaped.”

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The Africa Automotive Show will feature a diverse range of exhibitors, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), national assemblers and value chain partners. The accompanying Automotive Forum will bring together thought leaders, global partners, and heads of state to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

By fostering collaboration, innovation, and investment, the show has the potential to transform the continent’s automotive landscape, creating jobs, boosting economies, and improving mobility for millions of people.

In the words of Victoria Backhaus-Jerling: “This is more than an event; it’s a catalyst for change. Together, we can build an automotive industry that reflects Africa’s resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.”

This article first appeared on CHANGECARS

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Africa Automotive: All go for IATF 2025 with eyes on Auto Sector

With the ‘go’ button having been pressed on the Intra-Africa Trade Fair 2025 taking place in Algiers, Algeria in September next year, the countdown has begun towards an event expected to result in trade an investment deals exceeding US$44-billion.

Although only a sub-set of the entire IATF event, the Africa Automotive Show will play a large – and significant – part in the proceeedings given the intense activity in the automotive sector taking place throughout Africa that, together with full acceptance and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Are (AfCTA) is helping to turn the continent into one large automotive hub.

Some 35000 attendees from more than 140 nations are expected to gather in Algiers for the Intra-African Trade IATF2025 and the week-long exhibition will feature 2 000 exhibitors from Africa and around the globe, showcasing goods and services to potential buyers and industry professionals.

Organised by the Government of Algeria under the theme ‘Gateway to New Opportunities’, the event will leverage the AfCFTA, which comprises around 1,4-billion people and a combined GDP of more than US$3,5-trillion. The biennial fair is run by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union and AfCFTA Secretariat.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chair of the IATF Advisory Council and former Nigerian president, highlighted the fair’s impact: “The IATF has become a vital platform for fostering intra-African trade and investment by facilitating business interactions and providing access to trade and market information. With more than 70 000 visitors and more than 4 500 exhibitors at the last three editions, the fair has contributed $100-billion in trade deals. We encourage African businesses to seize this opportunity to expand their markets and engage with peers."

The event will host numerous key activities, including a trade exhibition, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, featuring exhibitions and summits on African fashion, film, music, literature, sport, and more.

An example of the burgeoning automotive activity is the recent announcement by Stellantis to expand its Middle East and Africa (MEA) footprint by launching the locally assembled Jeep Grand Cherokee L in Egypt. This milestone, achieved at the Arab American Vehicles (AAV) plant in Cairo, is a pivotal part of the automaker’s ‘Dare Forward 2030’ strategy.

“This marks a crucial moment for Stellantis in Egypt,” said Samir Cherfan, Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis MEA. “By restarting production at AAV, we are reaffirming our commitment to Egypt's industrial growth and aiming to solidify our leadership in the region. Our goal is to capture over 22% of the market by 2030.”

Cherfan revealed Stellantis’ ambitions to become the top player in the region, selling 1-million vehicles annually by 2030, with 35% of those being electric. The plan also includes achieving 90% local production autonomy, reinforcing the company’s position as the most regionally integrated automotive manufacturer.

The local assembly of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L not only supports Stellantis' vision but also highlights Egypt’s strategic role within its wider operations. This move strengthens the company’s ability to serve markets across the MEA, boosting local job creation and skills development.

While the Egyptian production will be for left-hand drive markets, Stellantis South Africa notes it is not inconceivable this could expand to right-hand drive markets particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hesham Hosni, Managing Director of Stellantis Egypt, noted: “Our long-standing partnership with the AAV plant is key to our success here. This relaunch reflects our confidence in Egyptian expertise and infrastructure."

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