Automechanika Johannesburg catalyses industry transformation

The milestone 10th edition of Automechanika Johannesburg, held from 28 to 30 October, brought together industry leaders, innovators and automotive specialists to its new venue, Gallagher Convention Centre, to explore the future of South Africa’s automotive aftermarket sector.

Connecting the market, driving export opportunities

The event attracted 307 exhibitors and facilitated 2 959 business matchmaking meetings, connecting buyers and suppliers from across the continent and beyond.

International visitors attended from 34 countries – including key African markets such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya and Nigeria – as well as global markets including Germany, the United Kingdom, China, India and the United Arab Emirates.

CEO Breakfast sets strategic tone

The event opened with the Q4 CEO Breakfast on day one, where sustainability, compliance and global competitiveness emerged as critical themes. Sponsored by SKF, Nedbank, The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, and the Automotive Industry Development Centre, the breakfast set the tone for three days of collaboration and innovation.

Expertly facilitated by programme director Victor Radebe, chief director of Programme Management Office at the Gauteng Provincial Government, the breakfast featured keynote addresses from Sthembiso Dlamini (acting CEO, Gauteng Growth and Development Agency), Andile Africa (CEO, AIDC), Andrew Marsh (technical director, AutoBody Bible), Kudzayi Mazukana (head of Sustainability Business and Commercial Banking, Nedbank) and Duncan Mutengwa (acting CEO, NRCS).

Dlamini positioned the automotive aftermarket as a cornerstone of inclusive economic growth, emphasising programmes such as Township Economic Revitalisation that help small businesses formalise, scale and connect to industrial networks.

Africa addressed the intersection of geopolitical disruption and technological transformation, urging the industry to focus on electrification of public transport, last-mile delivery and circular production.

Marsh provided a global perspective on regulatory challenges and the critical skills gap facing the independent aftermarket, stressing that education and training must become a massive focal point on electrification. According to Marsh, incoming new energy vehicles are increasingly designed with completely new technology, including additional high-voltage circuits in electric vehicles which mechanics must be made aware of.

Mazukana presented the business case for sustainability, highlighting that energy efficiency projects in the sector already show three- to four-year paybacks and 10% to 15% profit savings. Mutengwa outlined the evolving regulatory landscape, positioning compliance as a strategic competitive advantage rather than a burden.

Michael Dehn, managing director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, noted that the Automechanika brand has served as a navigation system for the aftermarket industry around the world for 54 years, providing an essential platform where stakeholders can determine which roads to avoid and which to take in an increasingly complex economic and business landscape. Automechanika Johannesburg provides orientation in particular at times of uncertainty, when established trade routes are being disrupted and new markets need to be accessed.

Three days of knowledge-sharing and innovation

Beyond the CEO Breakfast, day one featured an insightful Township Development Panel Discussion hosted by the City of Johannesburg, and an RMI car door wrapping competition.

Day two included the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Conference, Right to Repair Talk, the MasterDrive Fleet Safety Awards, the Bearings International Rotake Competition, and a live spray painting demonstration. The event concluded on day three with the Collision Repairers Association Conference.

The diverse programme addressed emerging trends including electrification and digitalisation, circular economy models such as remanufacturing and recycling, regional integration through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area framework, and innovation ecosystems driven by public-private partnerships.

Confirmed return

“This milestone event has demonstrated the vital role Automechanika Johannesburg plays as Africa’s leading automotive aftermarket platform,” said Dehn as he reflected on the trade fair’s success.

“The energy, innovation and collaboration we witnessed over these three days reinforces our commitment to connecting the industry and driving it forward. We invite all stakeholders to join us next year as we continue to navigate the future of mobility together.”

Automechanika Johannesburg 2026 will take place from 27 to 29 October 2026, once again at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.