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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Africa Automotive: Algeria geared to go

Algeria is ready and geared to host the next Intra Africa Trade Fair, having been party to the signing of the agreement to stage the 2025 event that will a pivotal step in furthering the African Free Trade Agreement and bolstering inter-communication and cooperation within the auto industry across Africa.

In collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union, and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Hosting Agreement for the upcoming Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) was signed to set the stage for the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair, scheduled to be held in Algiers from September 4 to September 10, 2025.

Seated from (left to right): Chiza Charles Chiumya, representing Ambassador Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry African Union Commission, Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank – Afreximbank, H.E. Tayeb Zitouni, Minister of Trade and Export Promotion, Algeria, and Chawki Jaballi, Representing H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary General AfCFTA Secretariat. Standing from left to right: HE Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairperson of the IATF2025 Advisory Council and Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and HE Nadir Larbaoui, Prime Minister of Algeria.

During the ceremony, attended by dignitaries including HE Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairperson of the IATF2025 Advisory Council, and Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President of Afreximbank, the importance of the fair in promoting trade and investment within Africa was underscored. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo emphasized the transformative impact of the fair, highlighting its role as a catalyst for economic growth and continental integration.

Kanayo Awani echoed this sentiment, stating the IATF has become a vital platform for realising the vision of the AfCFTA, facilitating trade deals and fostering business connections that benefit economies across the continent and expressed gratitude to the Government of Algeria for their steadfast support.

Representatives from the AfCFTA Secretariat and the African Union emphasized the strategic significance of the IATF in addressing trade challenges and promoting intra-African commerce. They highlighted the fair as a symbol of unity and opportunity, aimed at breaking down barriers and driving economic development.

In his closing remarks, Jean-Louis Ekra commended the collaborative efforts driving the fair's success, emphasizing the power of collective action in advancing trade and investment in Africa.

The ceremony, attended by a diverse array of stakeholders including public and private sector representatives, diplomatic corps, and industry associations, served to raise awareness about the upcoming IATF2025. Attendees also had the opportunity to visit the venue for the fair, the Algerian Company of Fairs and Exports (SAFEX).

The Intra-African Trade Fair stands as the continent's premier trade and investment event, offering exhibitors a platform to showcase their products and services, engage in business exchanges, and establish valuable connections. With its focus on fostering collaboration and innovation, the fair plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth and prosperity across Africa.

The success of previous editions, such as the third edition held in Cairo in 2023, underscores the growing importance of the IATF in promoting intra-African trade and investment. With each iteration, the fair continues to expand its reach and impact, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of Africa's economic development agenda.

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Africa Automotive - Nissan announces new agreement as Africa ramps up

Automotive activity across Africa is ramping up at speed ahead of the Intra Africa Trade Fair being held in Cairo next month – the latest being the announcement Nissan’s long-standing Algerian partner, Groupe Hasnaoui, has signed a renewed distributor agreement extending its history with the Japanese OEM, which dates back to 1993.

Nissan Africa President Joni Paiva says: “It’s a momentous occasion for us, as we seek to unite the entire continent under one organisation for the first time in our global company’s 90-year history.

"This is part and parcel of our mid-term growth strategy, to unlock the potential that this continent has as the world’s last automotive frontier by providing the best line-up of models to answer Africa’s mobility needs in a sustainable, safe and aspirational way.”

Nissan Africa is the only OEM on the continent to have two fully owned plants, in Egypt and South Africa and two DKD facilities in Ghana and Nigeria.

“We are excited about this partnership,” adds Maciej Klenkiewicz, Nissan South Africa & Independent Markets Africa Country Director, “We have ambitious plans for the Algerian market and specifically with the locally built Nissan Navara.”

The North African markets of Algeria, Egypt and Libya have been identified as key markets for the new Navara, along with a range of exciting packages that will be introduced with the model across the continent, he said.

“SUV leadership also forms part of our product strategy in Africa; we have started introducing an exciting range of new models, such as the Magnite, Qashqai and X-Trail to the African continent.”

Paiva added: “We have a wonderful legacy in Africa, due in no small part to the vehicles we produce and the partnerships we have established and nurtured over the last 60 years in some cases. It is wonderful to have a partner such as Groupe Hasnaoui in a strategically important market such as Algeria.

“Together, we navigate challenges, embracing a vision for the future built on trust and shared values. This agreement symbolises our collective commitment to sustained growth and prosperity in the Algerian automotive landscape.”

Opening a business roadshow in Algeria recently, Ms Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, Afreximbank said: “It Is time for Africa to take her destiny in her own hands and to determine her own developmental agenda. However, doing so will not be easy. It will require commitment, courage, and deliberate action. Traders need to seek out new market opportunities rather than the conventional route of turning to markets abroad.”

She added the African Continental Free Trade Area “promises to revolutionise trade, reshape markets across the region, boost output in the manufacturing and service sectors, and fundamentally transform Africa’s economic structure.”

Speaking about the Intra-African Trade Fair, she said it was created “to deal with the challenges of lack of access to trade and market information” and she praised the Algerian Government for deciding to hold a Country Day at IATF2023 in Cairo, saying that “it gives me confidence that Algeria is poised to lead  the charge for African trade.”

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Africa Automotive - Short haul to Cairo

The road to the Intra Africa Trade Fair (IATF) may have hit a pothole with the late venue change from Abidjan to Cairo, Egypt but a strong turnout from South African business executives at a recent roadshow in Johannesburg confirmed a strong interest.

Indeed, as Mike Whitfield, President of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) said during the panel discussion: “If we do not focus on competitiveness, the others out there are ready and moving fast.”

Mike Whitfield

While he was speaking specifically about the auto industry and the Africa Automotive Show, the comment could equally be applied across all spheres of business in this country.

Although backed up and supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which talks a big game, that entity is still severely hampered by most of its key players on the critical injury list – Iscor, Eskom, Transnet etc.

Nevertheless, the DTI fully backs the IATF and the ongoing efforts to formally create a working African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) that will benefit South African business as well as the rest of Africa by stimulating trade, lowering entry barriers to business and creating job opportunities across the continent.

Dave Coffey the CEO of AAAM says “We believe the Africa Automotive Show is well timed as the automotive industry is gaining traction in Africa where we will see trading of vehicles between assembly hubs across the continent supported by the development of regional value chains.”

Panyaza Lesufi

Perhaps the biggest rev up to the business delegates came from Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi who said: “Less talk, more work. The days of celebrating agreements are over, the days of celebrating transactions are within us.

“If it is Africa's time, let that time be the time for everyone. We must not leave anyone behind. The time of talking is over, the time of implementation is now! The time of meeting to change or amend agreements is over, the time to strengthen business transactions is now.

“Count on us, not today but forever!”

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