Volkswagen has established a new “Sub-Sahara” region to develop the African market. This region covers all countries south of the Sahara. Steering will be the responsibility of Volkswagen South Africa, where the brand has been very successful for many decades. So far, Volkswagen is active at four locations in the region: South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ruanda. In Ruanda, the brand also launched an app-based car sharing service in mid-2018.
Sub-Sahara region
Press Releases
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Volkswagen hands over first phase of Covid-19 temporary medical facility
Seven weeks after the initial announcement of the company’s plans to provide a temporary medical facility for Covid-19 patients, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) today handed over the first phase of this project to the Eastern Cape Department of Health. -
First for Africa: Volkswagen and Siemens launch joint electric mobility pilot project in Rwanda
In a first for the African continent, the Volkswagen Brand has launched a pilot project in partnership with Siemens to test the feasibility of electric mobility in an African country. -
Volkswagen Group South Africa, Ltd. Uitenhage
Information for the Press -
Volkswagen develops automotive industry in Ethiopia
Volkswagen brand continues its engagement in emerging countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the presence of Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Thomas Schaefer, Head of the Volkswagen Sub-Saharan Africa Region, and the Commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), Abebe Abebayehu, today. Thereby, Volkswagen is taking the fast development of the country into account. Over the last ten years, the GDP growth rate in Ethiopia was above 8 percent – one of the highest worldwide. Moreover, Ethiopia is a priority and focus country for Germany under the G20-“Compact with Africa” initiative. -
Volkswagen expands its engagement in Africa: memorandums of understanding signed with Ghana and Nigeria
During German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Africa, Volkswagen signed two memorandums of understanding with the governments of Ghana and Nigeria. The stated goal is to build plants in both countries and to explore the development of new mobility solutions in Ghana. The document was signed in Ghana in the presence of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. The Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah attended the signing ceremony in Abuja. The Head of the Volkswagen Sub-Saharan Region, Thomas Schaefer, signed both agreements on behalf of Volkswagen. -
Milestone in Africa: Volkswagen launches local assembly and Car sharing in Rwanda
The Volkswagen brand is expanding its engagement in Africa: today saw the start of its Integrated Mobility Solution in Rwanda that includes local vehicle assembly, innovative mobility services and a sales and service retail outlet CFAO Volkswagen Rwanda. Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Group South Africa and responsible for the Sub-Sahara region, officially launched the project in the capital Kigali in the presence of Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame. Volkswagen is thus taking the next step toward developing new up-and-coming markets. In a long-term perspective, the brand intends to play a leading role in the emerging automotive industry in Africa. With this engagement, Volkswagen is making a substantial contribution to Africa’s economic development. -
New market potentials in Africa – Volkswagen founds company for mobility solutions in Rwanda
Volkswagen is taking the next step to develop the African sub-continent: as planned, the brand has founded "Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda", a company based in Rwanda. The objective is to provide modern integrated mobility services in Africa in future. As part of its worldwide regionalization strategy, Volkswagen is planning to expand its business presence significantly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Agreements to that effect were signed in Kigali just over a year ago in the presence of Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen brand. -
Focus on economy markets: Volkswagen establishes new "Sub-Saharan Africa" region
The Volkswagen brand is progressing with its regionalization strategy: the company has established the "Sub-Saharan Africa" region to develop and strengthen the African market. Sub-Saharan Africa is a geographical term used to describe the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. The new fourth region joins the existing regions of North America, South America and China and is the next logical step in the Volkswagen brand's strategy to position itself in focus areas. The region will be headed by Thomas Schäfer, Chairman and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group South Africa. Organizational details will be elaborated in the coming weeks. Sub-Sahara comprises 49 African states with a total population of some 920 million. -
Developing new market potentials: Volkswagen plans integrated mobility concept in Rwanda
Volkswagen is taking a further step to develop market potentials in Africa. On Wednesday evening, Hon. Francis Gatare, Director of the Rwanda Development Board, and Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Group South Africa, signed a memorandum of understanding for a new integrated mobility concept in Kigali in the presence of Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen brand. -
Developing new market potentials: Volkswagen inaugurates vehicle production facility in Kenya
Volkswagen is forging ahead with the regionalization of its worldwide automobile business and today inaugurated a vehicle production facility in Kenya. Together with the President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, was present when the first locally produced Polo Vivo rolled off the production line. With the CKD production of the bestselling car model in the sub-Saharan region, Volkswagen is stepping up its commitment to Africa. This is a key step in the development of new opportunity markets – with the right products, local partners and training in the region. -
Volkswagen expands Africa strategy - Vehicle production in Kenya planned
Volkswagen continues to drive forward with the regionalisation of the global automotive business. The brand is planning to start CKD production of the Polo Vivo in Kenya at the end of 2016. An agreement to that effect was signed in Nairobi today by the Kenyan Government and Thomas Schäfer, Managing Director of Volkswagen South Africa in the presence of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya. This is an important step by the Volkswagen brand towards engaging further in new emerging markets – with the right products and know-how from the region.
Stories
"The next years will be exciting!"
Volkswagen is starting a pilot project with electric vehicles in Rwanda and will start small series production in Ghana. Thomas Schäfer, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa and Volkswagen South Africa, talks about the potential of the African continent.
An automotive revolution
Volkswagen in Rwanda: Local production, sales, and new types of mobility offerings
Looking back: a Beetle in Rwanda
It’s already fifty years since a German Embassy employee set out with his Beetle to travel around Africa
