Demand for Auto Parts and Accessories in Africa to reach US$15.3 billion by 2020

The opportunities and trends of East Africa’s automotive aftermarket is under the microscope, as more than 200 industry professionals attended a two-day roadshow analysing the region’s fast-growing potential. The double-digit growth for auto-parts demand in the world’s second largest continent continues to put it in firmly in the sights of the world’s leading aftermarket suppliers.

Led by countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda, African demand for auto parts and accessories is growing 11 per cent year-on-year according to analysts Frost & Sullivan, and will be worth US$15.3 billion by 2020.

Despite its highly fragmented nature, the African automotive aftermarket is among the most promising in terms of potential growth. There’re nearly 22 million vehicles on the continent’s roads today, creating demand for parts and accessories worth more than US$8 billion per year.  It’s therefore become an increasingly significant market for global manufacturers of accessories and engine components such as bearings, brake pads, spark plugs and filters – with a large amount of these being re-exported from the UAE.

Africa is also a major source of trade buyers for Dubai. Re-exports of al kinds of aftermarket parts to Africa from Dubai has been inceasing over the years.

Dr. Norman Lamprecht, Director of AIEC, said Africa remains a priority focus for the South African automotive industry, while recent exponential growth in auto exports to the UAE highlights its significance position as a key growth market for South Africa. The South African automotive industry exported approximately US$10.5 billion worth of vehicles and components to 140 countries in 2018. The Automotive Industry Export Council (AIEC) represents the interests of seven motor vehicle manufacturers in South Africa, including BMW, Ford, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, various commercial vehicle manufacturers, and 500 component suppliers. “The UAE was one of 30 destinations to which automotive exports more than doubled on a year-on-year basis to US$79 million in 2015, from US$33 million in 2014. Zane Scullard from Unicontinental Natal, a manufacturer of adhesives and sealants, said: “We’re planning to reach new customers and possibly extend our business into the North Africa. We consider Africa as very important for the growth of our business, while Dubai’s status as a major transhipment and re-export hub plays a fundamental role in fuelling the growth of Africa’s automotive aftermarket trade,” added Scullard.

Africa Automotive Directory

Africa Business Pages has compiled a special Africa Automotive Directory that lists importers, wholesalers and dealers of automotive spare parts and accessories across 25 African countries. The Africa Automotive Directory has helped many exporters and manufacturers connect with buyers in Africa. The directory is now available for download in Excel format for a nominal price of US$350. Download the Africa Automotive Directory and reach potential buyers across 25 African countries. Since the directory is now available for instant download in Excel format, most people use the directory for email marketing and sending business proposals to their target audiences in Africa. Digital marketing in Africa is also catching up fast and the Africa Automotive Directory is also used by digital marketing gurus to create Custom Affinity Audiences (CAA) in Google Ads to reach their target audiences in the African markets. The Africa Automotive Directory has played an instrumental role in connecting buyers in Africa with international suppliers through direct B2B contacts. You can download the Africa Automotive Directory here.