Africa’s automotive industry is on the brink of transformation. While the continent currently sells around one million new vehicles annually, that number could triple if secondhand imports were phased out. In this episode, we explore the production and consumption imbalance, with South Africa and Morocco producing more vehicles than Africa consumes, and unpack how the influx of two million used cars each year is reshaping markets, financing models, and consumer behaviour.
From Côte d’Ivoire’s bold plan to ban passenger vehicle imports by 2035 to the rise of a growing middle class across sub-Saharan Africa, we look at the opportunities and hurdles in building an African-centric automotive ecosystem. The conversation covers global comparisons with India, China, and Europe, lessons in policy and production strategies, and the stark reality of Africa’s limited R&D investment compared to global giants like Volkswagen.
Finally, the episode highlights the strategic shifts needed, from revising tax structures to specialising in specific vehicle categories, to unlock sustainable growth and position Africa as a competitive player in the global automotive value chain.
