Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI) Cabinet Secretary, Rebecca Miano, has pledged the government’s unwavering support to local automotive solution providers and investors as they transition to new-generation mobility solutions. During her visit to the Toyota Manufacturing Plant in Nagoya, Japan, she emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with automotive sector stakeholders to help the industry reach its full potential.

In turn, Miano encouraged automotive sector players, particularly Toyota Tsusho Corporation, to boost local assembly and the manufacture of automotive parts and components within Kenya. She believes that Kenya has the potential to become a key manufacturing hub for Toyota, serving the entire continent under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement protocols.

Cabinet Secretary Miano, attending the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Sakai, Osaka, Japan, also underscored the nation’s readiness to support Toyota’s plans for local marketing and sales of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) in Kenya. She acknowledged the technological advances made by Toyota in developing HEV engine-powered vehicles.

Miano stressed the importance of localizing operations to transfer technology and skills to Kenya’s youthful population. She emphasized that Kenyans are well-skilled and capable of adapting to new technologies and systems, making them valuable assets in the automotive sector.

Toyota is committed to the global effort to reduce CO2 emissions and aims to become carbon neutral (CN) by 2050. As part of this commitment, Toyota’s local partner, CFAO Motors Kenya, will continue to enhance its HEV offering in the local market, especially in areas with limited clean power and charging infrastructure.

Kenya’s MITI Cabinet Secretary confirmed that the government will prioritize local assembly and increased local content applications in the automotive sector. These efforts align with Kenya’s goal to raise the manufacturing contribution to GDP from single digits to 15% by 2027, as outlined in the National Automotive Policy. The policy also supports the gradual phase-out of used imports and the growth of Kenya’s automotive industry.