The Automechanika Johannesburg team has wrapped up a successful road show across six key African countries, aimed at engaging automotive aftermarket buyers and promoting the upcoming Automechanika Johannesburg trade show slated for 19th to 21st November 2024 at 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.
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.
Nairobi, 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.
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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Nthato Motlana – Dr. Nthato Motlana is ‘the renaissance man’ of South Africa, with successful careers in politics, medicine and business. He was the founder of NAIL and a mentor to many of the top business leaders in South Africa today. He is considered by many to be the father of economic empowerment in South Africa.