The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) has welcomed the news that H E Wamkele Mene had been reappointed as the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat for a further four years.

Dave Coffey, the CEO of AAAM, said: “On behalf of AAAM, I would like to congratulate H E Mene on his reappointment, which we view as significant and important for the continuation of the great work that the Secretariat is doing in driving industrialisation, accelerating intra-African trade and boosting Africa’s trading position in the global market with an aligned voice. The Secretary General has been particularly supportive of the work that AAAM is doing, focusing on the expansion and deepening of the automotive industry across Africa by working with governments to shape policies and provide support that will attract investors and unlock the economic potential of the continent.

“Without the support of H E Mene, the Continental Auto Strategy, which was adopted as a living document by the Council of Ministers of African countries in Botswana in February 2023 would not have been possible and I would like to express AAAM’s appreciation to His Excellency for his drive and passion for the auto industry and his support of AAAM.”.

Mene was elected as the first Secretary General of AfCFTA in February 2020.

He previously served as the Head of Mission to the World Trade Organisation for South Africa. He later Chaired the Committee on International Trade in Financial Services at the World Trade Organisation. He was also the Chief Director for Africa Economic Relations in South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry and South Africa’s lead negotiator in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.