African-built cars are no longer a dream, they’re a reality rolling off production lines across the continent.
Local manufacturers are designing vehicles that match Africa’s roads, climate, and lifestyle while boosting industrial growth and reducing reliance on imports.
Here are Top 5 African Car Manufacturers:
– Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma (Nigeria): Founder of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Nigeria’s first indigenous car company, producing buses, SUVs, and cars tailored for African roads.
– Paul Isaac Musasizi (Uganda): Chief Executive Officer of Kiira Motors Corporation, leading the development of electric and hybrid vehicles including buses and sedans aimed at sustainable transport.
– Apostle Kwadwo Safo (Ghana): Founder of Kantanka Automobile, known for locally designed SUVs and pickup trucks combining innovation with Ghanaian craftsmanship.
– Ashish Thakkar (Kenya): Founder of Mobius Motors, manufacturing durable, affordable vehicles suited to Africa’s rural and urban environments, emphasizing ruggedness and practicality.
– Zied Guiga (Tunisia): Co-founder of Wallyscar, Tunisia’s first car manufacturer, producing handmade vehicles with a focus on innovation and local production .
These five are building more than cars, they’re driving Africa’s journey toward industrial independence.
Rankings were determined by entrepreneurial leadership, company founding, innovation, and impact on the African automotive sector between January and July 2025.
Sources include verified company profiles, industry reports, and news from reputable African business publications.
Image Credit: The Guardian
