Today, Automechanika hosted its CEO Breakfast in Gqeberha for the first time, at the Coega-owned Bluewater Bay Sunrise Hotel. Convened by Messe Frankfurt South Africa, the event provided an exclusive networking platform for experts across the global automotive value chain ahead of the 11th Automechanika Trade Fair in October 2026.
“This is the 3rd leg of our CEO Breakfasts for Automechanika, which is an annual international trade show focusing on the automotive value chain. We have never done this in Gqeberha before, and this is a hub of automotive manufacturing. We partnered with Coega for this, and the networking in the room was amazing,” said Tracy Gounden, Portfolio Director Automechanika Johannesburg.
Speaking on behalf of Coega, Dr. Mpumi Mabula, Executive Manager for Infrastructure Planning and Development, shared that Automechanika is more than a platform for dialogue, it is a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and decisive action across South Africa’s automotive value chain.
“At Coega, we are proud to create environments that strengthen manufacturing competitiveness, enhance logistics integration, and unlock strategic partnerships. Through initiatives such as the Coega Special Economic Zone and the Nelson Mandela Bay Logistics Park, we continue to drive investment, support job creation, and position the Eastern Cape as a leading automotive hub. In a challenging economic climate, it is important that we think boldly and act proactively to shape the future of the sector.
Sustainable growth will be driven by collaboration, enabling infrastructure, policy alignment, and a shared commitment to innovation and inclusive development. Coega remains committed to partnering with industry stakeholders to translate engagement into tangible, measurable impact,” continued Dr. Mabula.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Automobile Association of South Africa, Mr. Bobby Ramagwede, shared his perspectives on the consumer impact of affordable imports and the current fuel shocks affecting the market. He also emphasised the need for key roleplayers to act with urgency, regain control of the resources that drive our economic growth, and introduce complimentary policy that will allow South Africa to preserve its competitiveness in the global market.
Key economic insights shared by Naamsa’s Chief Economist, Dr. Paulina Mamogobo, highlighted the factors currently fuelling automotive demand including interest rate easing as well as the prevalence of affordable models and pointed to improved export volumes in coming months pending strategic new model introductions by local OEMs, some based in the Eastern Cape.
“Due to the phased rollout of new model production by key manufacturing and exporting OEMs, exports declined in the first quarter of 2026. Once the models are in full production, we anticipate a growth in exports,” she said.
In conclusion, the Automechanika Gqeberha CEO Breakfast provided an exclusive platform to showcase the limitless potential of the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as an automotive hub. Currently home to 12 automotive investors with a combined investment value of R5.28bn, the Coega SEZ supports over 2,500 jobs and drives innovation across the automotive value chain.
