As the global automotive industry accelerates toward electrification, Gauteng is steering to the front of Africa’s green mobility transition. Speaking on Radio 702’s Drive with John Perlman, Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) deputy board chairperson Tshegofatso Ditshwane said the province is ready to anchor South Africa’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) revolution through strategic industrial planning and policy alignment.
His remarks come ahead of the NEV Summit 2025, to be held on 22–23 October at Gallagher Convention Centre, hosted by the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), AIDC, and the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) under the theme “Driving Gauteng Towards a Green Automotive Economy”.
“The NEV Summit plays a central role in realising our vision of becoming Africa’s green industrial hub,” Ditshwane said. “Gauteng already leads in automotive manufacturing through the Northern Corridor, which includes the Tshwane Automotive SEZ, anchored by Ford, and by the Automotive Supplier Park. NEV manufacturing is the next frontier.”
With most South African vehicle exports destined for the European Union, which is phasing out internal combustion engines (ICEs), Ditshwane said the transition to NEVs is not optional but essential for market access.
“We must align with global policy shifts,” he said. “The summit will showcase Gauteng’s potential and build the ecosystem for battery manufacturing, charging infrastructure and local supply chains.”
Policy direction and industrial readiness
South Africa’s Automotive Masterplan 2035 and 2023 Electric Vehicle White Paper form the backbone of the national transition. Ditshwane said these frameworks give the sector clarity and investor confidence.
“South Africa has a mature manufacturing base, skilled workforce and rich mineral resources,” he said. “To maintain momentum, we must invest in battery production, energy security and supplier development. Localisation will be key to industrial resilience.”
Ditshwane emphasised that the NEV shift can be an engine for inclusive growth rather than job losses.
“There’s a perception that NEVs mean fewer jobs, but Gauteng’s skilled workforce gives us an advantage,” Ditshwane noted. “The transition will create new opportunities in manufacturing, technology and maintenance.”
The NEV Summit 2025 is expected to unite policymakers, manufacturers and investors to advance South Africa’s green industrial agenda.
“Gauteng is not just showcasing potential,” Ditshwane concluded. “We’re actively building the ecosystem that will define Africa’s automotive future.”
