Nearly every car purchased and utilized by Africans is imported, often as second-hand vehicles, which incurs substantial import duties.
Nonetheless, the African automobile sector has been producing robust and economical cars for a while now.
Companies such as Ghana’s Kantanka and Nigeria’s Innoson Motors are transforming the narrative of the African automobile industry.
Here are eight vehicles from seven African-owned automobile companies that are reshaping the continent’s automotive narrative.
1.Birkin Cars (South Africa)
Birkin Cars, a South African automobile company established in 1982, is among the industry’s veterans. Their vehicles are sold globally, including in the United States, Japan, and throughout Europe. The company has gained recognition for its high-quality classic reproductions, such as the SS3 Street Series and the CS3 Clubman Series.
2.Innoson Motors (Nigeria)
Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, established by the Nigerian entrepreneur Innocent Chukwuma, is the first technology company to produce cars in Nigeria.
Innoson has manufactured at least 500 cars indigenous to Nigeria, priced between N1.5 and N3.5 million. Its extensive production has garnered patronage from the Nigerian government as well.
Operating from their facility in Nnewi, Anambra, Nigeria, Innoson assembles a range of vehicles, including pickup vans, SUVs, and buses.odels are Innoson Fox, Innoson Umu, and Innoson G5 which is an SUV. Some of the cars are already in use in Nigeria.
3.Kantanka Cars (Ghana)
The Kantanka Automobile Company, founded in Ghana by Dr. Ing. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, manufactures both saloon cars and four-wheel drives. The company’s range of SUVs includes models such as Nkunimdie and Kantanka Opasuo.
A number of Ghanaians and other Africans are already owners of these Ghana-made vehicles, which are available for purchase at Kantanka showrooms. The company has also announced plans to start producing electric cars by the end of 2020.
4.Kiira Motors Corporation (Uganda)
Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) stands out among African automobile companies with its focus on creating hybrid electric vehicles. Founded in 2014 by Makerere University engineering students who took part in the Vehicle Design Summit initiated by MIT students in 2006, KMC enjoys the support of the Ugandan government.
KMC’s vehicle lineup includes the Kayoola Solar Bus, Kiira EV Smack, and Kiira EV POC, which boasts a battery bank capacity of 40AH and 207V.
The innovative vehicles produced by Kiira could signify the beginning of a new era for Uganda’s automotive industry.
5.Laraki (Morocco)
Founded in 1999 by Moroccan businessman Mohamed Laraki, the company initially manufactured yachts before shifting to produce luxury supercars. Its first car, the Laraki Fulgura, was produced in 2002.
This was followed by the Borac and then the Epitome, marking the company’s continuous growth and evolution.
The vehicles feature a V8 engine with 1100 horsepower and an estimated top speed of 175 mph. Laraki automobiles are exclusively concept cars, tailor-made for each client, and were listed among the world’s most expensive cars in 2015.
6. Mobius Motors (Kenya)
