With Africa’s auto industry projected to grow 40%, to USD 42.06 billion by 2027, Africa is entering a phase of rapid transformation as trade accelerates under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) (Source: World Economic Forum).
Africonnections at Automechanika Dubai 2025 will showcase Africa’s fast-growing automotive and mobility sector, connecting UAE and African stakeholders to unlock new business and trade opportunities.
This focused half-day programme will feature expert presentations, strategic panel discussions, and high-level networking, covering topics such as EV and green mobility supply chains, market growth, distribution models, UAE-Africa trade integration, parts manufacturing, lubricants, and remanufacturing.
The event caters to:
- OEMs
- Parts suppliers and manufacturers
- Automotive distributors and wholesalers
- Fleet operators
- Logistics providers
- Policymakers
- Investors and financial institutions
CPD Certification – Your Gateway to Professional Advancement
All conferences, workshops and trainings at Automechanika are CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certified. Every session is designed to “go beyond the theory” and provide high-quality educational experiences that contribute to the professional growth of all attendees.
The trackable CPD credits serve as a tangible way for professionals to validate your participation and learning at the event. Each session attended at the event will earn you a FREE personalised certificate.
Take advantage of this opportunity to advance your professional qualifications and stay ahead in your field.
Agenda
Location: PitStop 1 - The Pavilion
Day 3 | Thursday | 11 December 2025
10:00 - Keynote Address: Africa at the heart of opportunities
Synopsis: The session will aim at key points highlighting the transformative impact of initiatives by AfCFTA which are reducing trade barriers and fostering an integrated market, playing a pivotal role in the continent’s future as the global automotive aftermarket
Themba Khumalo, Principal Advisor to the Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
10:30 - Bridging markets: Trade, regulation & logistics between UAE and Africa
Synopsis: The discussion will highlight the UAE's strategic role as a re-export and logistics hub, leveraging its world-class infrastructure and pro-business environment to facilitate trade with the rapidly growing African market
Tobias Alando, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Association of Manufacturers
11:00 | Building Africa’s automotive ecosystem
Synopsis: This session will delve into the critical shift from a continent reliant on imported vehicles to one that is a self-sufficient manufacturing hub. It will examine the current state of local production and explore the emergence of new assembly hubs in countries within the African continent
Kojo Annobil, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Automotive Development Centre
11:30 | Tunisia’s automotive industry: A gateway to Africa’s integrated mobility future
Synopsis: Highlighting Tunisia’s role as a bridge between Europe and Africa, showcasing its advanced automotive ecosystem as a model for regional integration and competitiveness.
Lamia Gharbi, Director of Communication, Membership Management, and Partnerships, Tunisian Automotive Association (TAA)
12:00 | Driving quality and compliance in Africa’s automotive value chain: Building consumer trust through standards and certification
The session will highlight how robust conformity assessment and certification frameworks can strengthen Africa’s automotive industry, ensuring product safety, market access, and consumer confidence across regional and global markets.
Dilu Cherian, Assistant Manager Conformity Programs, SGS
12:30 - Africa’s digital transformation – is e-commerce the way forward?
This session will explore the transformative impact of technology on the continent's automotive industry, moving beyond traditional sales and service models to embrace a connected, digital-first future
Luqman Mamudu, CEO, Transtech Industrial Consulting Ltd.
13:00 - Cross-border collaboration: Unlocking regional trade, R&D, and supply chain synergies
Synopsis: This session will dive into how harmonized policies, reduced trade barriers, and streamlined logistics can enable a truly regional automotive value chain
Ali Al Ganzory, Chief Executive Officer, G&B GlobalCorp
2025 Speakers
AfriConnections Gallery
