The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) has announced its newly elected office bearers and advisory board for the 2026 to 2028 term.

Hyundai Motor Middle East and Africa president and CEO Tarek Mosaad succeeds Volkswagen Group Africa chairperson and MD Martina Biene as AAAM president.

Mosaad will be supported by five vice-presidents representing Africa’s automotive regions and the component-manufacturing sector.

They are Al Mansour Automotive CEO Ankush Arora as North Africa VP; Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda CEO Serge Kamuhinda as East Africa VP; Rana Motors COO Kassem Odaymat as West Africa VP; Isuzu Motors South Africa president Billy Tom as Southern Africa VP; and Bosch Africa Region president Dr Markus Thill as components VP.

“AAAM welcomes the election of Tarek Mosaad and the incoming vice-presidents,” says AAAM CEO Victoria Backhaus-Jerling.

“Their extensive experience across Africa’s diverse automotive markets will be invaluable as we work with governments, development institutions and industry partners to move from policy development towards implementation.

“Our priority remains to support the development of coherent automotive policies, and to deepen localisation, attract investment and strengthen regional production and trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“Effective collaboration across Africa’s regions will be essential if the continent is to establish a globally competitive and sustainable automotive industry.”

Mosaad says he looks forward to working with AAAM’s members and partners to advance the continent’s automotive ambitions.

“Africa presents significant opportunities for automotive growth, but realising this potential will require greater alignment between governments, manufacturers, suppliers, financiers and development partners.

“I [aim to] build on the strong foundation established by the outgoing leadership and support AAAM’s work to expand vehicle production, strengthen regional value chains and improve access to affordable and sustainable mobility across the continent.”

AAAM, with its more than 70 members, has also constituted an advisory board to provide institutional continuity, regional insight and strategic guidance to the association’s leadership.

This board comprises of Biene, Stellantis South Africa MD and past president Mike Whitfield; Toyota South Africa senior VP corporate Bronwyn Kilpatrick; Volkswagen Ghana CEO Jeffrey Peprah; and East Port Said and Egyptian German Automotive MD Dr Ahmed Fikry.