Gqeberha: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) is supporting the South African Auto Week (SAAW) that kicks off this week. Now in its fourth year, SA Auto Week has firmly established itself as the premier platform for the automotive sector in South Africa and the African continent, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and global stakeholders under one roof.
According to South African Government News Agency, the event is hosted by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA). Significantly, this year’s gathering will be held in the Eastern Cape, the birthplace of NAAMSA and still the heart of South Africa’s automotive industrial capacity. Taking place from 1-3 October 2025, the SAAW is being hosted in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape at a time when the country is commemorating Transport Month.
The 2025 programme will centre on five key themes: Inclusive Economic Growth and Job Creation, Policy and Regulatory Reforms, Infrastructure and Investment Mobilisation, Justice and Anti-Corruption, and Geopolitical Engagement. These themes aim to advance localisation, diversification, digitisation, and decarbonisation, while also addressing gaps in manufacturing investment and strengthening governance.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, emphasised the importance of the event in advancing the country’s industrial policy objectives. He noted that the automotive sector is a key driver of South Africa’s manufacturing base and has shown resilience and innovation. SA Auto Week provides a platform for collaboration between government and industry to embrace new technologies and position South Africa as a hub for next-generation mobility solutions.
Mr Tau further added that this year’s programme, anchored by the theme ‘Reimagining the Future, Together: Cultivating Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity,’ will feature high-level dialogues, thought leadership sessions, and networking opportunities. These activities are designed to foster industrial alliances, recommit to trade diplomacy, and accelerate South Africa’s just energy transition within the automotive ecosystem.
By connecting industry leaders and policymakers, SA Auto Week aims to set the benchmark for collaboration and innovation across Africa’s automotive landscape, as highlighted by the Minister.