With 2025 registrations and production trends shifting across key markets, Africa’s automotive industry is no longer moving at the pace many expected. The gap between rising vehicle demand and the realities of supply, financing, and aftersales support shows up fast in the latest figures. By the end, you will see which countries are accelerating and which are struggling to keep up.
Key Takeaways
- South Africa's automotive sector employed 110,000 direct workers in 2022, down 2% from 2021
- South Africa vehicle exports reached 384,126 units in 2022, valued at R160bn ($9bn)
- South Africa attracted $1.2bn FDI in automotive in 2022, mainly for EV transitions
- In 2022, South Africa accounted for 56% of total African vehicle production with 535,126 units assembled
- Africa's new car sales reached 1.2 million units in 2022, up 12% from 2021 driven by South Africa recovery
African automotive production is rising steadily, boosting jobs and investment across key markets.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment and Labor30 stats
01
South Africa's automotive sector employed 110,000 direct workers in 2022, down 2% from 2021
02
Morocco's auto industry created 220,000 jobs by 2022, with 40,000 added since 2020
03
Egypt's automotive workforce stood at 85,000 in 2022, including 25,000 in assembly plants
04
Nigeria's Innoson employed 7,000 workers in 2022, up 20% with new plant expansions
05
Kenya's auto sector jobs totaled 15,000 in 2022, 60% in repair and maintenance
06
Ghana's vehicle assembly employed 4,500 people in 2022, focusing on skilled welders
07
Algeria's auto factories hired 45,000 workers in 2022, with training programs for 5,000 youth
08
Tunisia's automotive cluster employed 90,000, exporting labor services worth $1bn in 2022
09
Ethiopia's manufacturing jobs in autos reached 12,000 in 2022, 30% women
10
Zimbabwe's Willowvale employed 2,800 in 2022, with apprenticeships for 500
11
Africa's auto industry total employment was 1.2 million in 2022, including informal sector
12
South Africa lost 6,000 auto jobs in 2022 due to production slowdowns
13
Morocco trained 10,000 workers via OFPPT for auto sector in 2022
14
Egypt's vocational training covered 15,000 auto technicians in 2022
15
Nigeria's auto mechanic workforce estimated at 500,000 informal jobs in 2022
16
Kenya's youth employment in two-wheelers assembly hit 8,000 in 2022
17
Ghana upskilled 1,200 workers in EV repair through 2022 programs
18
Algeria's localization policy created 12,000 parts manufacturing jobs in 2022
19
Tunisia's women in auto sector rose to 35% of 90,000 jobs in 2022
20
Ethiopia's truck assembly added 2,500 jobs for locals in 2022
21
Zimbabwe's spare parts sector employed 10,000 traders in 2022
22
South Africa's OEMs employed 36,000 in manufacturing alone in 2022
23
Morocco's Tangier plant alone had 20,000 direct employees in 2022
24
Egypt's Chinese joint ventures hired 10,000 Egyptians in 2022
25
Nigeria invested in 2,000 technician trainings via NASENI in 2022
26
Kenya's Isuzu East Africa employed 1,200, exporting skills regionally
27
Ghana's auto hub targeted 10,000 jobs by 2025, creating 2,000 in 2022
28
Algeria's Fiat plant added 1,500 jobs in Setif by 2022
29
Tunisia sent 5,000 auto engineers to Europe on contract in 2022
30
Ethiopia's EV battery training employed 1,000 in pilot programs 2022
Interpretation
Employment and Labor Interpretation
The African automotive industry's job map is a patchwork of promise and peril, where Morocco's booming factories and Tunisia's brain exports shine, yet South Africa's struggles and Nigeria's vast informal sector remind us that building a continent-wide engine of prosperity requires more than just assembling parts.
02 · Category
Exports, Imports, and Trade20 stats
01
South Africa vehicle exports reached 384,126 units in 2022, valued at R160bn ($9bn)
02
Morocco exported 365,000 vehicles in 2022, 85% of production to Europe
03
Egypt's auto exports grew 25% to 35,000 units in 2022, mainly to Arab markets
04
Nigeria exported 2,500 Innoson vehicles to West Africa in 2022
05
Kenya exported 1,200 Isuzu trucks to East Africa community in 2022
06
Ghana imported 42,000 used vehicles in 2022, 90% from USA and Europe
07
Algeria imported 200,000 CKD/SKD kits in 2022 worth $2.5bn
08
Tunisia exported $2.1bn in auto parts in 2022, 80% wiring to EU
09
Ethiopia imported $1.2bn vehicles and parts in 2022, 70% used Japanese
10
Zimbabwe imported 11,000 vehicles in 2022, mostly from Japan via Dubai
11
Africa's total vehicle exports were 800,000 units in 2022, 75% from South Africa and Morocco
12
South Africa's top export market was UK with 80,000 units in 2022
13
Morocco's exports to France hit 150,000 vehicles in 2022 under free trade agreement
14
Egypt exported 20,000 cars to Libya and Sudan in 2022
15
Nigeria's parts exports to ECOWAS reached $100m in 2022
16
Kenya's two-wheeler exports to Uganda were 5,000 units in 2022
17
Ghana reduced used car imports by 10% to 38,000 units via policy in 2022
18
Algeria's CKD imports from India rose 30% to 50,000 kits in 2022
19
Tunisia's harness exports to Germany were $800m in 2022
20
Ethiopia exported 500 locally assembled tractors to neighbors in 2022
Interpretation
Exports, Imports, and Trade Interpretation
From South Africa and Morocco racing as the continent's established export champions to nations like Nigeria and Ethiopia tentatively revving their own industrial engines, Africa's automotive story is a lopsided but dynamic grid of global assembly lines, strategic part-swapping, and a stubborn used-car lane that most local markets are still stuck in.
03 · Category
Investments and FDI27 stats
01
South Africa attracted $1.2bn FDI in automotive in 2022, mainly for EV transitions
02
Morocco received €2.5bn FDI in auto sector cumulative by 2022 from Renault and Stellantis
03
Egypt secured $800m FDI for MG and BYD plants in 2022
04
Nigeria's Innoson got $50m local investment for expansion in 2022
05
Kenya's Isuzu plant received $30m Japanese FDI upgrade in 2022
06
Ghana announced $200m auto city project with Indian partners in 2022
07
Algeria invested DZD 100bn ($750m) in local assembly incentives 2022
08
Tunisia attracted €300m FDI for wiring harness plants in 2022
09
Ethiopia's Hyundai plant got $100m Korean FDI commitment in 2022
10
Zimbabwe approved $25m Chinese investment for bus assembly in 2022
11
Total FDI inflows to African auto industry hit $4.5bn in 2022, led by North Africa
12
South Africa's BMW expanded Rosslyn plant with R4.2bn ($240m) in 2022
13
Morocco's Stellantis invested €300m in Kénitra for hybrid production 2022
14
Egypt's JAC Motors FDI totaled $150m for new factory in 2022
15
Nigeria courted $1bn FDI pledges at 2022 auto summit
16
Kenya's Simba Corp invested KES 2bn ($15m) in EV charging 2022
17
Ghana's Suzuki plant FDI from Japan was $40m in 2022 phase one
18
Algeria's Mercedes plant received €200m FDI for A-Class production 2022
19
Tunisia's Lear Corp expanded with $50m FDI for seats in 2022
20
Ethiopia sought $500m FDI for integrated auto park by 2022 end
21
Zimbabwe's Sino-Zim trucks got $15m FDI for heavy vehicles 2022
22
South Africa's Ford Silverton R1bn ($55m) retooling in 2022
23
Morocco's Yazaki invested €100m in electronics FDI 2022
24
Egypt's Ghabbour Auto $200m for Chery assembly line 2022
25
Nigeria's StallION $80m for Ashok Leyland trucks FDI equivalent 2022
26
Kenya attracted $100m Chinese FDI for bus manufacturing 2022
27
Ghana's Kantamanto $25m Japanese FDI for LCVs 2022
Interpretation
Investments and FDI Interpretation
While North Africa drives the lion's share of investment and South Africa accelerates its electric future, the continent’s auto industry is a mosaic of ambition, revealing both the promise of a connected global supply chain and the stark reality of uneven development.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production and Manufacturing30 stats
01
In 2022, South Africa accounted for 56% of total African vehicle production with 535,126 units assembled
02
Morocco produced 424,000 vehicles in 2022, marking a 12.5% increase from 2021 due to new Renault and Stellantis plants
03
Egypt's automotive production reached 120,500 units in 2022, primarily light vehicles from local assembly of Nissan and Chevrolet models
04
Nigeria assembled 12,000 vehicles in 2022 through Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, focusing on SUVs and buses for domestic market
05
Kenya's Associated Vehicle Assemblers produced 4,200 pickup trucks in 2022, mainly Isuzu D-Max models
06
Ghana's Kantamanto Assembly Plant output 2,500 units in 2022, specializing in Mitsubishi and Toyota light commercial vehicles
07
Algeria manufactured 67,000 vehicles in 2022 via Renault and local plants, up 15% year-on-year
08
Tunisia produced 15,300 cars in 2022, with VW and Renault models dominating assembly lines
09
Ethiopia's Debub Truck Assembly Plant assembled 1,800 trucks in 2022, focusing on heavy-duty vehicles for infrastructure
10
Zimbabwe's Willowvale Motor Industries output 3,500 units in 2022, repairing and assembling Mazda and Toyota vehicles
11
Total African vehicle production in 2022 was 1.05 million units, a 5.2% recovery from pandemic lows
12
South Africa's passenger car production fell 9.1% to 384,000 units in 2022 amid global chip shortages
13
Morocco's CKD assembly capacity expanded to 700,000 units by 2023 with Stellantis Tangier plant at full operation
14
Egypt's Bahrija plant produced 45,000 Nissan Sunny sedans in 2022 for export to Middle East
15
Nigeria's StallION Group assembled 8,000 Ashok Leyland buses in 2022 for public transport
16
Kenya's Thika Garage output 2,100 three-wheelers in 2022 under Bajaj license
17
Ghana imported 85% CKD kits for 2022 production, aiming for local parts integration by 2025
18
Algeria's mechanical industry ministry reported 45% localization rate in vehicle parts by end-2022
19
Tunisia's automotive cluster produced 1.2 million parts in 2022, exporting to Europe
20
Ethiopia plans 50,000 unit capacity by 2025, starting from 5,000 in 2022 across four plants
21
Zimbabwe invested $10m in Willowvale upgrades, boosting production efficiency 20% in 2022
22
South Africa exported 384,000 vehicles in 2022, 72% of production, mainly to EU under AGOA
23
Morocco's Yncrea plant assembled 120,000 Peugeot 208 units in 2022 for Europe
24
Egypt's GV Automotors produced 25,000 MG cars in 2022 under Chinese license
25
Nigeria's Proforce vehicles assembled 500 armored cars in 2022 for security forces
26
Kenya's mobility pressworks made 15,000 motorcycle frames in 2022
27
Ghana's assembly plants achieved 18% growth in truck production to 1,200 units in 2022
28
Algeria assembled 20,000 Fiat models in 2022 at Setif plant
29
Tunisia exported 90% of 2022 production, 13,800 units to France and Italy
30
Ethiopia's iron and steel input for autos rose 30% to support 2022 assembly growth
Interpretation
Production and Manufacturing Interpretation
While Morocco and Egypt race to challenge South Africa's traditional dominance, the continent’s automotive story remains a tale of two engines: a few major hubs accelerating into global supply chains, while a determined long tail of nations slowly but stubbornly assembles its own path forward, piece by piece.
05 · Category
Sales and Market Size27 stats
01
Africa's new car sales reached 1.2 million units in 2022, up 12% from 2021 driven by South Africa recovery
02
South Africa's new vehicle sales hit 529,708 units in 2022, a 4.2% decline due to load shedding and inflation
03
Morocco's domestic sales grew to 158,000 units in 2022, boosted by Dacia Sandero popularity
04
Egypt sold 180,000 vehicles in 2022, with Chinese brands like MG capturing 25% market share
05
Nigeria's new car sales plummeted to 11,000 units in 2022 amid forex shortages and high import duties
06
Kenya registered 78,000 new vehicles in 2022, led by Toyota Hilux pickups at 22% share
07
Ghana's vehicle sales reached 45,000 units in 2022, up 15% with Toyota dominating at 40%
08
Algeria sold 234,000 new cars in 2022, a 20% increase after import liberalization
09
Tunisia's market contracted to 28,000 units in 2022 due to economic slowdown
10
Ethiopia imported 32,000 vehicles in 2022, mostly Japanese used cars for sales
11
Zimbabwe's new vehicle sales were 12,500 units in 2022, driven by commercial vehicles
12
Used car imports dominated African markets at 70% of total sales volume in 2022
13
South Africa's light commercial vehicle sales rose 8% to 92,000 units in 2022
14
Morocco's EV sales started with 500 units in 2022, mainly Renault Zoe
15
Egypt's passenger car segment sold 120,000 units, 67% of total market in 2022
16
Nigeria's SUV sales accounted for 55% of new registrations at 6,050 units in 2022
17
Kenya's passenger car sales grew 10% to 25,000 units amid middle-class expansion
18
Ghana saw hybrid sales rise to 2,500 units in 2022, 5.5% of market
19
Algeria's Renault Symbol was top seller with 45,000 units in 2022
20
Tunisia's market share of French brands was 60% with 16,800 units sold in 2022
21
Ethiopia's taxi segment bought 15,000 Toyota Corollas in 2022 for ride-hailing
22
Zimbabwe's truck sales hit 4,200 units, 34% of total sales in 2022
23
South Africa's average new car price rose 12% to R450,000 ($25,000) in 2022
24
Morocco projected 2023 sales at 170,000 units, 8% growth from 2022
25
Egypt's two-wheelers sold 1.2 million units in 2022, led by Bajaj
26
Nigeria's aftermarket parts sales valued at $2.5bn in 2022
27
Africa's automotive retail market valued at $45bn in 2022, with 5% CAGR projected
Interpretation
Sales and Market Size Interpretation
The African auto market is a tale of patchwork momentum, where South Africa's recovery stitches together a 12% continental rise while elsewhere economic headwinds slam the brakes, though the enduring reign of used imports and rugged pickups proves the continent's roads demand resilience over luxury.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). African Automotive Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/african-automotive-industry-statistics
MLA
Karl Becker. "African Automotive Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/african-automotive-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Karl Becker. 2026. "African Automotive Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/african-automotive-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level