Rwanda and Kenya are the only two East African countries that may participated in the forthcoming Automechanika trade show in South Africa, November 2024.
That follows the just concluded Automechanika Johannesburg team tour of the continent wrapped up with a successful road show across six key African countries.
The tour was aimed at engaging automotive aftermarket buyers.
The delegation’s African trip was also meant to promote the upcoming Automechanika Johannesburg trade show slated for 19th to 21st November 2024 at the National Recreation Center (NASREC) Johannesburg.
The road show, 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.
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 presentation in Kigali was followed by engaging discussions with professionals from Isuzu Rwanda and Mr. Chirag Daswani.
In Lagos, Nigeria, the team was warmly received at the ASPAMDA Auto Parts Market, guided by Onyezor Jasper Any, Chairman 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.
A large number of professionals from Infinity Tyres, Robert Bosch dealers, and various service centers attended the presentation, showing strong interest in Automechanika Johannesburg.
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.
Meetings were held with Hon Mr Henry Okyere Jnr of the Ghana Auto Parts Dealers Association and Mr Patrick Asante Okyere, CEO of the SUAME Magazine Industrial Development Organisation, to discuss delegation trips to Automechanika Johannesburg. The presentation also saw participation from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, highlighting the event’s significance.
The road show continued to Lusaka, Zambia, where local professionals showed keen interest, many 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. Of the 54 attendees, only 8 had attended a previous Automechanika event, underscoring the value of this outreach to a majorly new client base.
“We are thrilled with the outcome of our road show across Africa,” said 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.”
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming the many new industry friends we met across Africa to Automechanika Johannesburg this November 19-21, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking, business expansion, and industry insights.” Said Tracy Gounden, Portfolio Director of Automechanika Johannesburg, Futuroad Expo, Solar Power Africa and Business Development.
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