The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) has set eight goals for the new year, says CEO Victoria Backhaus-Jerling.

“As we enter 2026, we proudly declare this the year of ‘Progressive development through collaboration’.

“This is the year where momentum turns into measurable outcomes.”

The first of the industry body’s goals for this year is to unlock intra-African trade through the ratification of the automotive rules of origin under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

In February, Africa’s heads of State are expected to formally adopt the 40% African originating content threshold, which Backhaus-Jerling describes as an important milestone that will allow automotive products to begin trading under the AfCFTA framework.

“We will work closely with Afreximbank, the AfCFTA Secretariat and African governments to support our members through expert guidance and implementation,” says Backhaus-Jerling.

AAAM’s second goal for the new year is to accelerate automotive policy implementation across the continent.

“We will support the rollout and refinement of automotive policies in Egypt, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, Tanzania and Algeria, and continue engaging new markets such as Angola,” notes Backhaus-Jerling.

Policy certainty remains the foundation of sustainable industrialisation, she adds.

The third goal is to advance component manufacturing and localisation.

“Our objective is to secure at least five concrete component manufacturing investments in Africa, driven by targeted matchmaking, feasibility studies and strategic partnerships,” says Backhaus-Jerling.

AAAM will also spend the year focusing on enabling legislation that supports the full spectrum of new-energy vehicle technologies in Africa.

The automotive body says it will also focus on continuing to source, develop and provide reliable automotive data and statistics across the continent.

Accurate, credible data remains critical for informed policymaking, investment decisions and tracking the progress of Africa’s automotive industrialisation, notes Backhaus-Jerling.

She adds that AAAM will also continue to build capacity across government and the automotive industry through a second cohort scheduled to enter the Government Executive Short Course, as well as the launch of an Industry Executive Short Course.

A seventh goal for AAAM is a focus on mineral beneficiation and value-chain integration.

As a strategic partner to the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026, AAAM believes it will help to connect Africa’s mineral wealth to automotive manufacturing opportunities.

An eighth, and last, goal is to bring affordable mobility to Africa.

“Through collaboration with vehicle asset-financing stakeholders, we will continue working toward accessible, sustainable mobility solutions for Africans,” says Backhaus-Jerling.