Stakeholders believe the hosting of the African Automotive Show as part of the 3rd Intra African Trade Fair (IATF2023), will be a considerable boost to regional integration as countries prepare to trade under AfCFTA. The Africa Automotive Show will take place in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from November 21-27, 2023. It is hoped that the show will act as a platform for all role-players in the automotive value chain to connect from across the continent and globally. “The aim is for the Africa Automotive Show to be the single most important trade and business development gathering for all automotive role-players, from raw material suppliers, vehicle and component manufacturers, dealers, importers, aftermarket parts manufacturers and suppliers as well as those from the financial and allied industries – from all parts of the continent,’’ said Africa Automotive Show Director Andrew Binning. Binning said the Africa Automotive Show - hosted by the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) – is a key activity of the cross-sectoral IATF2023 and would include a dedicated automotive exhibition, a high-level conference, and match-making meetings. “As the event is focused on trade and partnerships promoting the development of regional automotive value-chains, participants representing all aspects of the automotive value-chain will be attending the week-long event in Cote d’Ivoire next year,” Binning said. IATF2023, hosted by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union and AfCFTA is anticipated to draw 35 000 visitors from 75 countries and 1600 exhibitors to conclude around $43bn in trade and investment deals. Dave Coffey the CEO of AAAM said “Cote d’Ivoire and the West African region provides an excellent and relevant location for this edition of “Africa’s premier automotive show.” “We believe the Africa Automotive Show is well timed as the automotive industry is gaining traction in Africa where we will see trading of vehicles between assembly hubs across the continent supported by the development of regional value chains. Cote d’Ivoire are currently developing their competitive automotive value proposition that will have profound economic benefits for the country and region in the medium and long term. In collaboration with Ghana and other countries in West Africa that develop their sustainable automotive niche, this will drive scale and real industrialisation”, concluded Coffey.
