Automotive

South Africa
Entrepreneur Heine van Niekerk increases defence sector influence

Active in the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors, the South African investor has just bought two companies specialising in armoured vehicles in order to expand his business in the sale of military equipment.

Palace Intrigues
Paul Biya, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Martin Bouygues

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

CameroonBiya postpones new Switzerland trip to host Albert II of Monaco

Central African RepublicTouadéra stands by French Ambassador Bruno Foucher

Ivory CoastMartin Bouygues, a no-show at the first lady's gala

Algeria
BMW readies comeback

The German vehicule manufacturer is about to return, its sales having been on hold since Algiers revised its motor industry policy. Plans for a new factory are also under consideration.

Morocco
EU protectionist push in automobile sector worries Rabat

The kingdom has spent the last twenty years developing an automotive sector that generates plenty of jobs. A proposed European regulation could undermine this painstakingly built structure.

Algeria
Stellantis and Renault's contrasting fortunes in Oran

The automotive multinational, with a portfolio including Peugeot and Citroën, is currently eating up market share of the French brand in Algeria, where the latter has long been the dominant player.

Tunisia
Chinese car influx puts family firms in driving seat

The huge arrival of Chinese car brands into Tunisia over the past decade has transformed the sector. A handful of families have carved out a niche for themselves in the trade.

Morocco
Rabat and Washington set a date to strike new trade deal

Two key economic sectors will be at the centre of the next review committee meeting between Morocco and the United States, as both sides move to draw up new contours to their free-trade agreement.

Morocco
Starlink struggles to make a connection with the kingdom

Since 2024, Elon Musk's satellite internet access provider has been trying in vain to get a foothold in Morocco. The SpaceX constellation faces stubborn resistance from Morocco's major telecommunications firms.

Tunisia
The inexorable decline of the Loukil group

The Tunisian company founded by Mohamed Loukil in 1976 has ground to a halt. Its bankruptcy is not official but is now a fait accompli. Lack of state support and questionable investment choices are blamed for its demise.

Tunisia
Alpha Hyundai Motor Tunisia takes control of Mazda dealership

Mazda cars are expected to make their return to the Tunisian market within a year.

The New Guard
Morocco, Ethiopia, Ghana

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

MoroccoIsmaïl Zouhair, behind the wheel of Tesla's future in the kingdom

EthiopiaImran Nuruhussen, new champion of coffee producers

GhanaGertrude Emefa Donkor, sparkling strategist heading national jewellery

Kenya
William Ruto looks to India to boost exports

The president, who is expected to visit New Delhi later this year, wants to rebalance trade with India, from which he also expects investment in Kenya. A draft medical agreement is also under consideration.