Africa Automotive Show to fuel the continent’s automotive growth at IATF 2025

Algiers is preparing to host the much-anticipated Africa Automotive Show as part of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025, running from September 4 to 10.

This event, a collaboration among Afreximbank, the African Union, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, promises to be a key driver for intra-African trade, which currently stands at a modest 14% of Africa’s overall global trade.

The inaugural IATF 2023, held in Cairo, saw remarkable success with over 28,000 visitors and nearly 1,940 exhibitors, generating trade deals worth a staggering US$43.8 billion. Building on this momentum, the Africa Automotive Show aims to propel growth within Africa’s automotive sector—an industry transitioning from ambition to action, piquing the interest of both local and international stakeholders.

The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) has emphasised this moment as a critical juncture for the continent’s automotive landscape, which is teeming with extraordinary growth potential.

 “The AAAM, in collaboration with Afreximbank, the AfCFTA Secretariat, and the African Union, will proudly host the Africa Automotive Show at IATF 2025 to showcase achievements in the automotive sector,” explained Victoria Backhaus-Jerling, the newly appointed CEO of AAAM.

“Our aim is to elevate the African market demand to between three and five million units by 2035—an ambitious but necessary leap from today’s figures.”

The show will consist of a two-day forum alongside an exhibition dedicated to the automotive industry, creating a lively hub for dialogue, collaboration, and progress.

 Backhaus-Jerling believes the Africa Automotive Show will play a pivotal role in these developments, promoting discussions about establishing African supply chains and integrating local raw material suppliers into the continent’s production ecosystem.

A significant focus of the Africa Automotive Show will be the strategies to combat the challenge posed by the influx of used vehicle imports—a substantial obstacle to the advancement of local industries.

“By investing in local manufacturing, nations can unlock avenues for economic empowerment, job creation, and a robust intra-African supply chain,” stated Backhaus-Jerling. As the host nation, Algeria is ideally positioned to become a dynamic player in the evolution of Africa’s automotive sector.

More than just a trade event, the Africa Automotive Show at IATF 2025 is envisioned as a transformative gathering.

“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,” affirmed Andrew Binning, Director of the Africa Automotive Show.

The exhibition is set to draw original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), national assemblers, suppliers, and value chain partners from across the continent. Elders of thought, global partners, and heads of state are also expected to attend the Automotive Forum, where they will help shape the future landscape of Africa’s automotive industry.