Nairobi, Friday, April 26, 2024 – Nissan’s adventurous journey across Africa, named Daring Africa 2024, has successfully completed its journey through Kenya. This marks the second last stage of the expedition that spans eight countries, utilizing four Nissan Navara pickups and an X-Trail SUV, before it concludes in Egypt.
“The expedition has been a remarkable experience,” remarks Maciej Klenkiewicz, Managing Director of Nissan South Africa and Independent Markets Africa. “Our goal was to honor our 60-year legacy in the light commercial vehicle sector across Africa with these outstanding vehicles, which are designed and manufactured on the continent by our African team. Now, we look forward to the grand finale in Cairo, where we will celebrate the connection between our South African LCV production and our Egyptian passenger vehicle facilities.”
Starting in Rosslyn, South Africa, the route included stops in Maputo, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands before proceeding through Zambia near Kariba Dam and eastward to Lake Malawi via the Luangwa Valley. The team then crossed northern Tanzania, entering Kenya early this week.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, the team headed to Nairobi National Park, then to Nissan Kenya’s modern showroom, managed by Crown Motors, a subsidiary of Motus Africa. Here, the media and Daring Africa crew shared insights about their journey.
The following day, Nissan hosted a 4×4 driving event for select media and top clients, offering firsthand experience with the Navara and X-Trail, showcasing the vehicles’ capabilities on challenging terrains.
“The expedition not only highlighted the Navara, soon launching in North Africa, but also showcased the X-Trail, introduced last year as a versatile family vehicle ideal for such adventures,” Klenkiewicz added.
Klenkiewicz also noted the deep ties Nissan has with Kenya, where the brand has been a staple for over six decades. “It’s a testament to our enduring presence that local minibus taxis were once popularly known as ‘Nissans’ here,” he stated.
Tim Jacques, CEO of Motus Africa, echoed the sentiment of the vehicles’ reliability, having journeyed from South Africa to Kenya without a hitch, underscoring the rugged durability of the Navara.
Ramy Mohareb, Head of Communications and Public Relations at Nissan, reflected on the broader impact of the journey. “This adventure has been daring in every sense. The challenging roads, the breathtaking views, and the shared experiences have all been incredibly rewarding. It’s been a fantastic platform for strengthening old bonds and building new ones, allowing us to envision a brighter future for Africa.”
Daring Africa 2024 will soon head to Egypt, where the adventurous odyssey will reach its climax.
