The Automechanika Johannesburg team has successfully concluded a roadshow across six African countries, aimed at engaging automotive aftermarket buyers and promoting the upcoming Automechanika Johannesburg trade show scheduled for November 19-21, 2024, at NASREC Johannesburg.
The roadshow was strategically organized based on feedback from exhibitors and 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 the demand to strengthen connections across the continent.
In Lagos, Nigeria, the team was warmly welcomed 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, emphasizing the benefits of both events for Nigerian aftermarket buyers. Professionals from Infinity Tyres, Robert Bosch dealers, and various service centers attended, showing strong interest in Automechanika Johannesburg.
In Accra, Ghana, the team engaged with stakeholders from the Ministry of Trade and the Ghana Investment Promotion Agency to reinforce industry collaboration and investment in the automotive sector. Meetings 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, focused on delegation trips to Automechanika Johannesburg. The Ministry of Trade and Industry also participated, highlighting the event’s significance.
In Nairobi, Kenya, representatives from major automotive aftermarket companies explored opportunities at Automechanika Johannesburg. The visit to Kigali, Rwanda, supported by Rwanda Investment Promotion, included a meeting with Volkswagen CEO Serge Kamuhinda, highlighting Rwanda’s growing automotive potential. Engaging discussions followed the presentation with professionals from Isuzu Rwanda and Mr. Chirag Daswani.
In Lusaka, Zambia, local professionals showed keen interest, with many attending their first Automechanika event. In Harare, Zimbabwe, a large group of automotive professionals attended, with insights from Brighton Ganda of EY on industry trends and discussions with Zimtrade officials. Of the 54 attendees, only eight had previously attended an Automechanika event, underscoring the value of this outreach to a largely new client base.
“We are thrilled with the outcome of our roadshow across Africa,” said Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, organizers of Automechanika Johannesburg. “The enthusiastic response from industry leaders underscores the growing importance of regional collaboration in the automotive aftermarket. We were warmly received wherever we went across the continent.”
“We look 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.
For show-related queries, contact Portfolio Director Tracy Gounden at tracy.gounden@za.messefrankfurt.com.
For media-related queries, reach out to Marketing Manager Alexander Landman at Alexander.Landman@za.messefrankfurt.com.
For more information about Automechanika Johannesburg 2024, visit Automechanika Johannesburg.
For background information on Messe Frankfurt, visit Messe Frankfurt Background.
For information on sustainability at Messe Frankfurt, visit Messe Frankfurt Sustainability.