Automechanika Dubai 2025 Shines Spotlight on Africa’s Rapidly Growing Automotive Industry

Automechanika Dubai 2025 Shines Spotlight on Africa’s Rapidly Growing Automotive Industry Automechanika Dubai is set to place Africa’s burgeoning automotive sector in the limelight this December, as the region’s largest international automotive aftermarket trade show returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre from 9 to 11 December 2025. The event will draw particular attention to the rapid growth potential within Africa’s automotive sector, with recent research by ODI Global forecasting the industry’s value to reach US$42 billion by 2027. Driving this upward trajectory are significant developments stemming from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is accelerating regional integration, reducing trade barriers, enhancing competitiveness, and creating a more investment-friendly environment across the continent. Research by the World Economic Forum further underscores this momentum, indicating robust demand growth for vehicles throughout Africa. The annual demand for motorcars averages about 2.4 million units and for commercial vehicles, approximately 300,000 units. According to B&M Analysts, this figure is expected to surpass 10 million units annually by 2030, powered by rising disposable incomes, increasing urbanisation, and an expanding middle class. While much of Africa’s vehicle demand is currently met by imported used vehicles, domestic automotive production is rapidly catching up, now expanding at an average annual rate of 7%. To leverage these opportunities, Automechanika Dubai has introduced the AfriConnections initiative, a platform dedicated to connecting African buyers with global automotive suppliers. AfriConnections aims to unlock new business opportunities, foster partnerships, and support sustainable, long-term growth across Africa’s automotive aftermarket. “Automechanika Dubai serves as a gateway for Africa’s automotive aftermarket. Our AfriConnections platform is purpose-built to bring together African buyers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, service providers, and industry experts. Through strategic partnerships, market insights, and targeted networking opportunities, we’re committed to driving growth and innovation across Africa’s automotive landscape,” said Tommy Le, Show Manager for Automechanika Dubai. The AfriConnections segment will host a series of specialised sessions on the event’s final day, delving into market growth strategies, distribution models, digitalisation, and e-commerce trends in Africa, as well as cross-border collaboration opportunities and financing and investment insights. Automechanika Dubai is structured around six key pillars: sustainability, electrification and digitalisation, innovation, training, recruitment, and safety. Returning features include the Automechanika Academy, Innovation4Mobility, the Automechanika Awards, the Pitstop Challenge, the Modern Workshop, and the Lubricants, Base Oil and Additives Conference. The show will feature 10 product sections, such as Parts and Components, Electrics and Electronics, Accessories and Customising, Car Wash, Care & Detailing, Body & Paint, Diagnostics & Repair, Oils, Lubricants and Fuels, Tyres & Batteries, and a newly launched product area focusing on Connectivity and Autonomous Driving. Team V.4-EM-UAE