EXECUTIVE MAYOR LOBISHE WELCOMES THE NAACAM SHOW 2025 TO NELSON MANDELA BAY
Published: July 10, 2025<< BACK TO NEWS
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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is proud to welcome the NAACAM Show 2025, set to take place on 13–14 August 2025 at the Boardwalk Hotel International Convention Centre. This marks the first time this prestigious event will be hosted in the Eastern Cape, thanks to the efforts of the Automotive Industry Development Centre – Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC), and we are honoured to be the host metro. The NAACAM Show stands as South Africa’s leading platform for showcasing the strength and depth of our automotive manufacturing value chain. It presents an exciting opportunity for Nelson Mandela Bay to reinforce its position as Africa’s premier automotive hub and as a preferred destination for investment, industrial growth, and job creation.
"We are deliberately using our ability to host high-impact events as a key value proposition to resuscitate and reposition our tourism economy. Events of this magnitude not only stimulate local business activity but also showcase Nelson Mandela Bay as a competitive, world-class destination for business, leisure, and investment. Through this approach, we are creating jobs, enabling growth, and driving the economic recovery of our metro," said Executive Mayor Cllr Babalwa Lobishe.
Hosting world-class events such as the NAACAM Show underscores Nelson Mandela Bay’s growing stature as a leading national and international destination for conferences, exhibitions, and high-impact dialogue. These events bring with them significant economic inflows, boost tourism, support local SMMEs, and create hundreds of direct and indirect employment opportunities. They also serve as a catalyst for long-term investment, reinforcing the city's strategic economic development goals.
NAACAM CEO, Renai Moothilal, says that the decision to host this important event in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) was made due to the city being regarded an important hub of South Africa’s automotive manufacturing sector. ‘The NMB metro is at the centre of South Africa’s automotive industry. Being home to 42% of our members and more than half of the automotive original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in South Africa, it makes sense to celebrate this industry in the province that derives a substantial economic benefit from it in terms of job creation, skills and technology transfer, and related services. Together with our host partner, the AIDC-EC, we look forward to exploring the local and global dynamics that are shaping the future of South Africa’s automotive value chain.’
"The AIDC-EC is committed to creating an enabling environment that fosters innovation, industrial growth, localisation, and transformation in the Eastern Cape, which remains one of Africa’s most strategic automotive hubs,” says Mr Thabo Shenxane, CEO of the Automotive Industry Development Centre, Eastern Cape. "With four OEMs, a strong supplier network, and major investments in infrastructure and skills, the province is well-positioned to attract and retain global investment. Our rollout of South Africa’s most advanced electric vehicles (EVs) and new energy vehicles (NEVs) charging network, funded by the provincial government, demonstrates this readiness. Our partnership with NAACAM reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the component manufacturing sector and unlocking the full potential of our region’s automotive ecosystem.”
In addition to the NAACAM Show, the NMBM is gearing up to host a series of high-profile events that bear testimony to our capability and growing reputation as a world-class events and conference destination. These include:
- LIASA National Conference (30 September – 3 October 2025)
- NAAMSA Automotive Week Show (1–3 October 2025)
- G20 DTIC Senior Officials Working Group (7–9 October 2025) (with a delegate excursion to Addo Elephant Park)
- G20 DTIC Ministers Working Group (10–11 October 2025) (with a golf excursion to St Francis Links)
- Africa Infrastructure Summit (13–15 October 2025)
ENT SASLHA Joint Congress (17–19 October 2025)
These events not only position the Metro as a hub for knowledge exchange and innovation, but also deepen our role in regional economic development and industrial transformation. They reflect our shared ambitions to attract high-value investment, support localisation, and ensure inclusive economic growth that benefits all residents of Nelson Mandela Bay.
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