Millions of lives are at risk every year due to a stark disparity in vehicle safety standards across the globe. While the European Union enforces strict regulations through Euro NCAP testing, ensuring vehicles meet rigorous safety benchmarks, African markets often operate under far more lenient requirements. The consequences of this divide are profound.
Real-world testing by Global NCAP has highlighted the danger. Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, explains: “A 2019 Nissan NP300 Hardbody sold in Africa was crashed into a second-hand 2015 Nissan Navara NP300 manufactured in Europe. The driver in the new African Nissan would likely have died, while the driver in the European vehicle walked away unharmed. The European vehicle featured Electronic Stability Control (ESC), absent in the African model. This illustrates how life-saving safety features are often omitted from vehicles intended for markets with weaker regulatory frameworks.”
This “safety double standard” stems from regulatory differences, manufacturer priorities, and economic conditions. Herbert emphasises, “Greater pressure should be placed on industry players to ensure access to vehicles without compromising safety. European cars must meet mandatory standards for ESC, multiple airbags, and driver assistance technologies. Unsurprisingly, Europe reports the lowest road fatalities—a benchmark that should inspire similar prioritisation across Africa.”
Vehicle safety is a critical factor in road fatality rates. Africa’s road fatality rate sits at approximately 27 per 100,000 people, compared to just 9 per 100,000 in Europe. Yet many African vehicles would fail to achieve even a single star under European testing protocols. Global NCAP assessments in Africa focus largely on basic crashworthiness, rather than the comprehensive safety evaluations standard in Europe. As a result, vehicles can receive passing grades while lacking essential safety systems.
Economic constraints are often cited to justify these disparities. Herbert questions this rationale: “Does this mean lives in certain markets are deemed less valuable simply because consumers cannot afford advanced safety features? While advanced systems can add cost, basic safety features—like ESC and multiple airbags—are fundamental and affordable. Yet, a 2025 Automobile Association report revealed that out of 27 vehicles tested in South Africa, only four met acceptable safety standards. Many entry-level vehicles remain dangerously under-equipped.”
Chery Motors took a bold step in 2025 by conducting Africa’s first real-world dual-vehicle collision test. Two Tiggo 9 SUVs were involved in a 50% offset impact at 50 km/h. Herbert believes this could mark a turning point: “Perhaps this will be the first step in urging the industry to challenge geographical safety disparities. It demonstrates that consistent, global safety standards are both achievable and essential.”
As Africa continues to grow its automotive market, closing the safety gap is urgent. Harmonising vehicle safety standards worldwide is not just a regulatory challenge—it is a matter of saving lives.
