Overview of the Workshop
In Africa, integrated manufacturing and assembly of vehicles remains largely concentrated in South Africa and Morocco. Across Southern Africa, with the exception of South Africa, the automotive sector is characterized by small-scale assembly operations and limited local value addition. Yet, the region holds excellent potential to expand its participation in the regional and global automotive value chain, leveraging its resource endowment, emerging industrial clusters, and growing SME productive base and ambition to engage in the sector.
This capacity-building workshop will strengthen the capabilities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to access automotive markets and provide components through sustainable procurement mechanisms. It focuses on enhancing market access, understanding buyer requirements, sustainability standards, and leveraging technology through a new Automotive Sustainable Supplier Finder Database, which is currently under design.
The initiative forms part of ECA’s ongoing support towards inclusive industrialization and regional value chain integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The workshop will convene SMEs, policymakers, industry associations, financial institutions, and technical experts to explore actionable pathways to embed SMEs into the automotive sector which is an important strategic driver of industrial transformation in Southern Africa.
Why This Matters Now
The automotive sector presents a transformative opportunity for job creation, export diversification, and sustainable industrial growth in Southern Africa. With emerging trends in eco-friendly materials and digital manufacturing, SMEs can play a vital role in supplying key automotive components by adding value to raw materials such as leather, steel, glass, rubber, and copper.
The region’s potential building off existing capacity such as Botswana’s automotive wiring harnesses production, Lesotho’s leather car seat covers, and Zambia’s metal fabrication industry—can be unlocked through targeted capacity building, policy coordination, and access to market information systems.
This workshop comes at a pivotal moment, focusing on:
- Building SME competitiveness within the regional automotive value chain
- Promoting sustainable materials and procurement practices through validation of the Automotives Sustainable Supplier-Finder Database
- Leveraging AfCFTA opportunities to scale cross-border value addition and trade
Workshop Objectives
Participants will:
- Assess the Automotive Sustainable Supplier-Finder Database schema (design of the portal) and understand its functionality and future uses for sector integration and competitiveness.
- Understand local content requirements and opportunities for SMEs in supplying automotive components.
- Identify potential buyers and explore sustainable partnerships with larger automotive firms.
- Explore technical capabilities requirements in quality control, production, and logistics to meet industry standards.
- Recognize the importance of certifications and standards in supplier development relationships
Workshop Methodology
The workshop will employ a blended approach combining knowledge exchange, technical training, and policy dialogue through:
- Development of a Report on market access and the automotive sustainable supplier-finder database use.
- Market Dynamics Analysis to tailor SME integration into the automotive supply chain.
- Identification of Structural Bottlenecks and policy recommendations for greater SME participation in the automotive value chain.
Expected Outputs
- Automotive Sustainable Supplier-Finder Database Schema – to support SME linkages with larger firms and facilitate sustainable sourcing.
- Market Analysis Report – detailing market access opportunities, private standards, and trade policy harmonization.
- Training Workshop Delivery – equipping SMEs with the skills to navigate market information systems and supply sustainably within the automotive sector.
Expected Outcomes
- Enhanced SME-Buyer Networking – promoting competitiveness, collaboration, and growth.
- Strengthened Value Chain Transparency – through centralized sustainability information.
- Improved Access to Market Intelligence – empowering SMEs to integrate into regional and global automotive supply chains.
Participants
Participants will be drawn from both public and private sectors across ECA-SRO-SA member States with strong automotive potential:
Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Date and Venue
11–13 November 2025
Namibia
Contacts
For confirmation of participation and further information, please contact:
Talumba Chilipaine
Economic Affairs Officer, UNECA Southern Africa Office
talumba.chilipaine@un.org
Olayinka Bandele
Chief, Inclusive Industrialization Section, UNECA Southern Africa Office
olayinka.bandele@un.org
Bryll Mulangala
Communications, UNECA Southern Africa Office
bryll.mulangala@un.org
Documents