The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), in strategic partnership with Afreximbank and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, is launching the inaugural Industrial Policy Executive Short Course (ESC) at the Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies (TWIMS) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
This milestone initiative is designed to empower senior government officials across the continent to unlock automotive production opportunities, affordable mobility solutions and catalyse industrial development.
Backed by leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) – including Volkswagen Group Africa, Isuzu Motors South Africa, and Toyota South Africa Motors – the ESC is a first-of-its-kind programme that aligns with the AfCFTA’s vision for regional integration and economic transformation through industrialisation.
Giving an insight into the initiative, Themba Khumalo, Senior Advisor on Regional Value Chains to the Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, stated: “Over the last three years, and mandated by the AfCFTA Council of Ministers responsible for Trade, the AfCFTA Secretariat has been working with Afreximbank and the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers to pursue a strategic action plan that leverages the AfCFTA to develop an automotive value chain in Africa in a manner that enables industrialisation.
“This Executive Short Course is an opportunity to build capacity of the AfCFTA Automotive Task Force to effectively guide the implementation of the strategy and advise the Ministers of Trade accordingly.”
Also speaking during the opening session, Dr. Gainmore Zanamwe, Director, Trade facilitation and Investment Promotion at Afreximbank, emphasised the importance of the ESC: “Afreximbank envisions Africa’s future with a thriving automotive industry driving economic growth and industrialisation. Every loan, policy, and partnership we foster supports this vision. The Bank is investing in building local capacity and employment through this sector. We believe that the ESC will equip African government officials with knowledge to harness opportunities from the continental automotive value chain. It will also help accelerate finalisation of outstanding rules of origin negotiations in relation to the automotive industry.”
Bridging Policy and Practice
According to Nobuhle Renqe, Chairperson of AAAM’s Skills Development Working Group and Corporate Planning Executive at Isuzu Motors SA, the programme aims to address key requirements for the automotive industry, how it can be developed further and to close knowledge gaps around the sector’s economic potential.
“Informed, sector-specific policy-making is critical to accelerating industrialisation across Africa,” said Renqe. “This course equips decision-makers with the insights needed to craft effective regulatory frameworks that foster investment, localisation, supplier development and job creation.”
Renqe noted that the long-term vision is to host the ESC annually, rotating delivery across Africa’s five regions in partnership with local institutions through TWIMS. “Starting with this South African pilot cohort, we aim to foster a pan-African platform for knowledge exchange, skills development and self-sufficiency,” she added.
A Pan-African Learning Platform
TWIMS, renowned for its dedication to manufacturing education and research, will run the ESC programme. The pilot cohort includes 26 high-level participants from 19 African countries, representing senior government officials from North, East, West, Central, and Southern Africa.
Over the next nine weeks, the programme will explore technology trends, localisation strategies, regional value chains, industrial policy and include site visits to manufacturing hubs in Durban and Gqeberha, South Africa.
Participants will benefit from site visits to Toyota South Africa Motors, Volkswagen Group Africa, and Isuzu Motors South Africa, gaining practical exposure to world-class automotive operations.
Industry, Government Leaders Lend Support
Also speaking at the launch, Andrew Kirby, Vice President of AAAM and President & CEO of Toyota South Africa Motors, praised the ESC as a critical step towards fostering sustainable growth and collaboration across Africa’s automotive ecosystem. “Through this course, we aim to strengthen the ability of public sector leaders to shape policies and frameworks that attract investment, stimulate growth and create sustainable jobs. At its core, this course is a platform to demonstrate that Africa can benchmark with Africa — because the expertise exists right here.”
In his keynote address, Rev. Musa Zondi, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, underscored the importance of collaboration and visionary leadership in advancing the continent’s mobility agenda: “Let us continue to forge partnerships, create platforms, and unlock new opportunities so that together, we can propel KZN and Africa into a new era of inclusive growth, industrial strength, and shared prosperity,” said MEC Zondi.
Course Structure
The ESC is structured in three phases:
1. Seminar Week (in-person) – Classroom sessions and an on-site plant tour at Toyota SA.
2. Online Phase (two months) – Virtual lectures and a strategic assignment identifying country-specific value chain opportunities.
3. Best Practice Week (in-person) – Held in Gqeberha with best-practice visits to VW and Isuzu manufacturing facilities.
A Shared Vision for Africa’s Automotive Future
Victoria Backhaus-Jerling, CEO of AAAM, expressed gratitude to the programme’s partners: “We are deeply thankful to Afreximbank for their unwavering commitment to developing Africa’s automotive value chain and to the AfCFTA Secretariat for championing intra-African trade. We are optimistic that, with continued collaboration, the automotive rules of origin will be finalised by October, as guided by our Heads of State.”
She concluded by acknowledging the critical role of OEMs. “We sincerely thank Volkswagen, Isuzu and Toyota for their steadfast support of our shared vision to industrialise and grow the automotive sector across Africa.”
In September, the AAAM, in partnership with Afreximbank, the African Union and AfCFTA Secretariat – will host the Africa Automotive Show at the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) in Algiers, Algeria. This landmark event will showcase the continent’s growing automotive industry while creating a platform for discussions on policy dialogue aimed at enhancing local production capacity and building a more integrated automotive ecosystem.
This show will feature over 2,000 exhibitors from across Africa and beyond, including manufacturers, suppliers, and technology innovators. It aims to strengthen strategic intra-African trade, foster strategic partnerships, and spotlight advancements in sustainable vehicle manufacturing. For more information visit