Johannesburg, South Africa – The Africa Automotive Show, a premier event at the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025, is set to take centre stage in Algiers from September 4 to 10, 2025. As a key highlight of the fourth biennial IATF, this landmark exhibition and forum will serve as a catalyst for Africa’s burgeoning automotive sector. Organised by Afreximbank, the African Union, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and hosted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Algeria, IATF 2025 aims to propel intra-African trade beyond its current 14% of total global trade.
Following the resounding success of IATF 2023 in Cairo—where over 28,000 visitors and 1,939 exhibitors facilitated trade deals worth US$43.8 billion—the Africa Automotive Show seeks to accelerate Africa’s industrialisation and position the continent as a global automotive player.
Africa’s Automotive Potential: From Aspiration to Action
The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) recognises this as a pivotal moment for the continent’s auto industry, with exponential growth opportunities emerging. The industry’s trajectory is shifting from mere potential to tangible success, driven by both local innovators and multinational giants that see Africa’s automotive sector as a critical investment frontier.
“The AAAM, in collaboration with Afreximbank, the AfCFTA Secretariat, and the African Union, is proud to host the Africa Automotive Show at IATF 2025. This event will showcase achievements in the automotive sector and lay the groundwork for future progress,” said Victoria Backhaus-Jerling, AAAM’s newly appointed CEO. “Our aim is to elevate African market demand to between three and five million units by 2035 – a substantial leap from today’s figures.”
A dedicated two-day Automotive Forum will run alongside the expansive exhibition, fostering discussions on supply chain integration, local manufacturing development, and investment opportunities.
Strengthening Africa’s Automotive Value Chain
In 2023, AfCFTA member states approved a forward-thinking continental automotive strategy, co-developed by AAAM with support from Afreximbank and the AfCFTA Secretariat. This blueprint aims to establish resilient regional supply chains, enhance local manufacturing capabilities, and promote African-made solutions.
Backhaus-Jerling believes that the Africa Automotive Show at IATF 2025 will be instrumental in advancing these goals. “The discussions will be centred around strengthening African supply chains, engaging manufacturers, and integrating raw material suppliers into Africa’s production ecosystem,” she stated.
Reducing Used Vehicle Imports: A Path to Sustainable Growth
One of the pressing challenges facing Africa’s automotive sector is the influx of used vehicle imports, which hinders the growth of local manufacturing and component supply industries. “The elimination of used vehicle imports through a phased approach is critical,” Backhaus-Jerling emphasised. “These imports dilute the localisation opportunity for manufacturing and after-sales services. When we invest in local manufacturing, we pave the way for economic empowerment, job creation, and a thriving intra-African supply chain. Effective policy design, affordable mobility solutions, and their successful implementation will be key to achieving this.”
Algeria: A Powerhouse for Africa’s Automotive Future
As the host nation, Algeria is poised to play a pivotal role in Africa’s automotive evolution. Recent policy reforms and the establishment of major assembly plants, such as those by Stellantis, underscore the country’s commitment to industrialisation. Algeria’s proactive stance serves as a model for other African nations looking to strengthen their automotive sectors and create sustainable economic opportunities.
A Transformative Gathering for a Continental Market
The Africa Automotive Show at IATF 2025 is more than just an exhibition—it is a transformative gathering that provides a gateway to an integrated African market of over 1.3 billion people, with a collective GDP exceeding US$3.5 trillion, enabled by AfCFTA.
“The vision is to make the Africa Automotive Show the ultimate platform for all industry players – from raw material suppliers and manufacturers to dealers, importers, aftermarket suppliers, and financial industry partners – uniting stakeholders from every corner of Africa,” said Africa Automotive Show Director, Andrew Binning.
With participation from OEMs, national assemblers, suppliers, and value chain partners from across the continent, the event will provide unmatched opportunities for networking, collaboration, and investment. High-level discussions at the Automotive Forum will bring together thought leaders, global partners, and heads of state to shape Africa’s automotive future.
Opportunities for exhibition space and sponsorship are now open, marking the beginning of a new era for Africa’s automotive industry. The Africa Automotive Show at IATF 2025 is not just an event—it is a movement towards a self-sufficient, dynamic, and globally competitive African automotive industry.
