No vehicle runs without the right parts, and across Africa, local manufacturers are stepping in to supply what the roads demand.
These innovators are reducing reliance on imports by producing durable, affordable spare parts that match regional needs and driving conditions.
Here are five African spare parts manufacturers driving industrial growth.
– Innoson Group (Nigeria): Beyond car manufacturing, Innoson produces key auto parts locally, including brake pads, bumpers, and radiators, reducing reliance on imports across West Africa.
– Cletus Madubugwu Ibeto (Nigeria): Founder of Ibeto Group, headquartered in Nnewi. Initially a spare‑parts import dealer, he established a factory in the late 1980s and by the mid‑1990s led one of Nigeria’s largest auto spare‑parts manufacturing operations, producing batteries, plastic accessories, filters, and more locally.
– Kwadwo Safo Kantanka: The founder and inventor behind Kantanka Automobile and the Kristo Asafo Mission in Ghana, launched the country’s automotive assembly and manufacturing initiative in 1994. He developed locally engineered vehicle parts such as body frames, transmission systems, and custom gear systems specifically designed to suit African road conditions.
– Shafic Ssempija (Uganda): CEO & Founder of Standard Waves Ltd (SWA). Since 2016, Ssempija’s company has manufactured over 1,000 different replacement auto parts (bolts, nuts, oil filters, air cleaners, engine mounts) tailored for East African vehicles. He also financed bringing manufacturing machinery to Uganda to build these parts locally
– Lisa Lou (South Africa): CEO of Grandmark International, a leading automotive aftermarket parts distributor supplying brake systems, clutches, and body components across Southern Africa.
These five are keeping Africa’s wheels turning, and building an industry that runs on local strength, not foreign stock.
Rankings were determined by verified leadership and founding roles, manufacturing capacity, product range, and impact on the local automotive spare parts industry. Sources include company records, industry reports, and verified news profiles collected as of July 2025.
Image Credit: Gemsons
