Ghana, 2 others offer vehicle assembly growth in Sub-Saharan Africa – Fitch Solutions

Outside South Africa, Ghana and Kenya are predicted to experience the most rapid growth in vehicle assembly across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), according to Fitch Solutions. Ghana is considered the most attractive destination for new assembly investment in the region over the medium term. The country's automotive industry, while smaller in scale, benefits from favorable policies, particularly the Auto Policy and local assembly incentives.

These measures are expected to encourage investment, coupled with improving consumer confidence, which should drive demand growth.

Fitch Solutions anticipates that vehicle production in Ghana will increase from around 4,700 units in 2025 to approximately 4,900 units in 2026. Although the expiration of the VAT exemption on locally assembled vehicles poses a short-term hurdle, continued policy support is anticipated to boost local content and facilitate steady growth in assembly activities.

Recent developments further highlight the growing confidence in Ghana's assembly sector. Zonda Tec expanded its Tema assembly facility in September 2026, raising its annual production capacity to 12,000 passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and electric vehicles. This expansion creates an estimated 1,000 new jobs. Despite Ghana's relatively modest manufacturing base, the facility expansion underscores the willingness of investors to scale production capacity in the market.

Fitch Solutions also points out that regional integration could become increasingly significant for both Ghana and Kenya. The automotive framework of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provides opportunities for countries to engage in automotive value chains through components, materials, and supplier industries rather than just final vehicle assembly.

As regional trade links deepen and sourcing becomes more integrated across African markets, this development could support gradual growth in local manufacturing activity. Neither Ghana nor Kenya is expected to emerge as a major export hub in the medium term, but both are likely to play an expanding role in regional vehicle assembly.