AUTOEXPO AFRICA 2026 Opens in Nairobi, Bringing Global Automotive Industry Leaders to East Africa's Largest Trade Exhibition
By Gedion Nzyoki
- The 27th edition of AUTOEXPO AFRICA 2026 has opened in Nairobi, bringing together exhibitors and industry leaders from more than 30 countries to showcase innovations in automotive technology, spare parts, electric mobility, and related industrial sectors.
- Government officials and industry stakeholders highlighted the automotive sector’s role in driving industrial growth, job creation, and investment, with renewed emphasis on boosting local manufacturing and enhancing regional competitiveness.
- The exhibition, held alongside two other major industrial trade shows, is positioning Kenya as a growing regional hub for automotive trade, partnerships, and emerging sustainable transport solutions.
Nairobi, Kenya | June 3, 2026 — The 27th edition of AUTOEXPO AFRICA, East Africa's largest international trade exhibition for automobiles, spare parts, and accessories, officially opened on Wednesday at the iconic Carnivore Exhibition Grounds in Nairobi, bringing together leading manufacturers, distributors, traders, and industry innovators from around the world.
The three-day exhibition, running from June 3 to June 5, marks a significant milestone for the automotive industry in the region, with exhibitors from more than 30 countries showcasing the latest advancements in automotive technology, spare parts, electric vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles, motorcycles, batteries, lubricants, garage equipment, vehicle accessories, and other related products.
The event was officially inaugurated by Mr. Samuel Karanja Njora, Secretary Administration in the State Department for Industry, who presided over the opening ceremony on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Industry, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, CBS.
Also present during the official opening were Mr. Duncan Njage, Regional Director of Expogroup East Africa; Ms. Margaret Muchoki, Board Member of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association of Kenya (APMA); Mr. Brian Kipkemoi, Chairman of the Electric Cars Society; and Alex Huang of Airumi New Energy Zambia Limited, the event's title sponsor.
In their opening remarks, the speakers underscored the critical role of the automotive sector in driving industrialization, creating employment opportunities, attracting investment, promoting technology transfer, and accelerating economic growth in Kenya and across the East African region.
The organizers described this year's edition as the most dynamic and impactful yet, reflecting Kenya's growing position as a strategic automotive hub for East and Central Africa. The country continues to experience rapid infrastructure development and increasing demand for modern transportation solutions, creating new opportunities for investors, manufacturers, and technology providers.
A key feature of this year's exhibition is its relocation to the iconic Carnivore Exhibition Grounds, which provides a larger and more versatile setting for exhibitors and visitors.
The venue's spacious layout and distinctive indoor-outdoor environment have enhanced the overall exhibition experience, offering an ideal platform for live vehicle displays, product demonstrations, and interactive showcases by leading automotive brands.
The move is also expected to support increased participation and create more opportunities for business networking, industry engagement, and commercial partnerships as the event continues to grow in scale and influence.
AUTOEXPO AFRICA 2026 is being held concurrently with the 26th Indusmach Kenya 2026 and the 6th Tools & Hardware Kenya 2026 exhibitions, giving visitors an opportunity to explore innovations across the automotive, industrial machinery, manufacturing, and hardware sectors under one roof.
Countries Participating in the Expo
The exhibition has attracted exhibitors from across the globe, including China, India, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Turkey, Taiwan, and Italy, among others.
Their participation underscores the event's international significance and its role as a strategic platform for accessing opportunities within the rapidly expanding East African automotive sector.
Participants at the exhibition will have an opportunity to connect with potential business partners, showcase new products, and engage in discussions on emerging trends shaping the future of the automotive industry.
The event will also spotlight advancements in electric mobility and sustainable transportation solutions, sectors that are rapidly gaining momentum as African countries pursue greener and more efficient transport systems.
Speaking shortly after officially declaring the event open, Secretary Administration in the State Department for Industry Samuel Karanja Njora reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting initiatives that promote industrial growth and local manufacturing.
"We come here as a government to show support to the stakeholders involved in manufacturing, in particular in the field of automotive, where the government has a lot of focus, because we want to encourage manufacturing of motor vehicles and motorcycles locally. So any initiatives that head towards that direction, we are supporting them," Karanja said.
He noted that the expo had attracted exhibitors, manufacturers, investors, and distributors from more than 30 countries across Africa and beyond, underscoring Kenya's growing importance as a regional hub for trade and investment.
According to Njora, the government views the automotive sector as a key pillar in its industrialization agenda and is keen on encouraging the local manufacture and assembly of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
The official called on members of the public, entrepreneurs, startups, and small-scale manufacturers, including those operating in the informal sector, to take advantage of the exhibition by exploring new technologies, products, and business opportunities.
He observed that such expos provide valuable learning platforms where local innovators can gain ideas, forge partnerships, and identify opportunities for growth while respecting international intellectual property regulations.
Njora further revealed that the government is in the final stages of developing the Local Content Bill, which seeks to increase the use of locally manufactured components across various industries.
He noted that Kenya already has the capacity to produce a number of motorcycle parts locally and that the proposed legislation will progressively expand opportunities for domestic manufacturers by requiring more components to be sourced within the country.
In a major boost to local assemblers, he disclosed that the government intends to prioritize the procurement of vehicles assembled in Kenya, a move aimed at strengthening local industries, creating jobs, and enhancing the country's manufacturing capabilities.
"In the area of motor vehicles, the government will soon stop buying vehicles that are imported from outside. We will only buy those that are assembled in Kenya," he added.
While acknowledging the challenges of competing with countries that are more advanced industrially, he expressed confidence that ongoing policy interventions and investments would help Kenya accelerate its industrial transformation.
On her part, Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association of Kenya (APMA) Board Member Margaret Muchoki lauded the close collaboration between the association and the Ministry of Industry and Trade in advancing the local manufacturing agenda.
She explained that APMA represents manufacturers producing a wide range of automotive components used in vehicles and motorcycles, including batteries, brake pads, filters, and other essential parts.
Muchoki said the association's participation in the expo was not only aimed at supporting its members who were exhibiting but also at encouraging partnerships between local firms and international investors.
"We are here, first of all, to show support to our partners because some of our members are exhibiting here. But we are also here because we recognize the role that international investors can play in terms of skills transfer and partnerships with local companies," Muchoki said.
According to her, increased local sourcing of automotive components has the potential to significantly expand business opportunities for Kenyan manufacturers, enabling them to grow their operations, create employment, and compete in regional and global markets.
She highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to encourage vehicle assemblers operating in Kenya to procure parts from local suppliers wherever possible.
Muchoki also welcomed the progress made in the development of the Automotive Bill, describing it as a critical policy framework that will support local vehicle assembly and deepen the integration of Kenyan manufacturers into automotive value chains. She noted that strengthening linkages between large assemblers and local component manufacturers would help build a more competitive and sustainable automotive industry in Kenya.
The exhibition has received support from several key industry organizations, including the Automobile Association of Kenya (AAK), the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association of Kenya (APMA), the Electric Cars Society, and Bilmah Engineering Services Ltd. These organizations continue to play a crucial role in promoting industry standards, investment opportunities, and innovation within Kenya's automotive ecosystem.
With thousands of visitors, exhibitors, and industry professionals expected to attend, AUTOEXPO Kenya 2026 is poised to further strengthen Nairobi's position as a premier regional hub for trade, investment, and international exhibitions.
The event comes at a time when the automotive sector is undergoing significant transformation driven by innovation, emerging technologies, and the transition toward sustainable mobility. It offers stakeholders an important platform to explore new opportunities, foster partnerships, and contribute to the future growth of the industry across Africa.
Comments
Post a Comment