On 19 March 2025, industry leaders, government representatives, and key stakeholders gathered at Premier Hotel Midrand for the Northern Corridor Logistics Roundtable, an event aimed at discussing the future of Gauteng’s automotive sector and the vital role logistics play in ensuringits success. This roundtable served as a lead-up to the upcoming Gauteng Investment Conference, a forum dedicated to fostering growth and investment within the region’s automotive and logistics sectors.
The event, hosted by the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) in collaboration with the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ), brought together experts from various sectors, including the aviation, rail, and road freight industries. The gathering featured panel discussions with representatives from organisations such as ACSA, Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager, SANRAL, the Road Freight Association, the IDC, and naamsa. The discussions focused on improving efficiency and collaboration within the automotive supply chain, highlighting how strategic investments in infrastructure could improve operations across sectors.
A key theme that emerged from the roundtable was the importance of collaboration over competition. All speakers stressed the need to work together to achieve efficiency and sustainability within the logistics and automotive sectors. This shared vision was echoed by Andile Africa, the CEO of AIDC, who outlined the rapidly changing landscape of the automotive industry in Gauteng. Africa emphasised that in a sector driven by innovation, adaptability was key to ensuring that the province remains a leader in automotive manufacturing.
“AIDC is rising to the challenge of these changing times, and one of our most exciting initiatives is the upcoming launch of the Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at the Automotive Supplier Park in Rosslyn,” said Africa. This Centre, planned for completion later this year, promises to be a resource for both automotive manufacturers and suppliers, fostering innovation and best practices across the sector.
From roads and ports to rail systems, efficient infrastructure is essential for the smooth operation of the automotive supply chain. Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile remarked on the significance of the automotive sector, highlighting its contribution of 4.3 percent to the country’s GDP and its status as the fifth-largest export sector, responsible for 18.1 percent of total exports.
Maile said, “the logistics industry, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.29 percent from 2024 to 2030, and has a far-reaching impact, with nearly 354,000 people employed in logistics and transport across Gauteng alone. The sector’s growth supports not only the automotive industry but also other sectors like retail and manufacturing.”
Craig Cornish, Board Chair of the GGDA Group, highlighted the importance of investment in infrastructure, noting that the AIDC is offering 100 hectares of land for investment in a planned development. This development includes the creation of an inland port, designed to alleviate some of the logistical challenges currently facing the province. “Investing in this area will provide the necessary infrastructure to support growth, creating more opportunities for both local and international investors,” Cornish said.
The upcoming Gauteng Investment Conference is set to continue these conversations, with the aim of forging stronger ties between government, industry leaders, and investors.
For Media Enquiries, please contact:
Ms Lerato Mphahlele
Marketing and Communications
Automotive Industry Development Centre
E-mail: Lmphahlele@aidc.co.za
WhatsApp: 081 734 4055
