By Huang Peizhao, People’s Daily

In recent years, Chinese automobiles have become deeply embedded in Africa’s development through localized manufacturing, market-specific adaptation and mutually beneficial cooperation. 

Their business model has evolved exporting fully built vehicles to local assembly, and from one-off sales to comprehensive, full-value-chain services. From Cairo, capital of Egypt, to Luanda, capital of Angola, cost-effective and reliable Chinese-brand vehicles are gaining popularity among African households.

Meanwhile, Chinese enterprises are partnering with local stakeholders to establish a complete industrial ecosystem that encompasses production, sales, maintenance, and after-sales support. This injects impetus into the growth of Africa’s automotive and manufacturing sectors and stands as a vivid example of China-Africa cooperation in the new era.

At Tahrir Square in central Cairo, traffic flows steadily. Wael, a taxi driver, pulled his new Emgrand — manufactured by Chinese automotive giant Geely — to the side of the road. The vehicle, locally assembled at the BAMC plant in Egypt, has become a popular choice among taxi drivers and ride-hailing services in Cairo.

“The car is durable, fuel-efficient, and rarely breaks down — ideal for my driving needs,” Wael said. The vehicle performs reliable even in Cairo’s summer heat, which can reach 40 degrees Celsius, and handles Cairo’s frequent stop-and-go traffic with ease.

Another factor that has convinced Wael to choose a Chinese brand is the comprehensive localized support, including flexible purchasing options and a seven-year warranty. The chassis has been specially optimized for Cairo’s aging and potholed roads. Its smooth ride and comfortable interior have earned praise from many passengers. 

“Many of my fellow drivers have switched to Chinese cars. They are hassle-free, affordable and reliable,” Wael told People’s Daily.

Sophia, a primary school teacher living in Kilamba New City near Luanda, Angola, recently purchased a vehicle made by Jetour, a marque of Chinese vehicle manufacturer Chery.

“The cabin offers ample space, suiting both my daily commute and family trips. The monthly installment is even less than what I used to pay for taxi rides every month,” Sophia said.

At a major automobile market in Luanda, Chinese brands such as Jetour, Changan and Geely account for about half of the vehicles on display. Fernando, head of the Angolan association of motor vehicle dealers, said that five years ago, the local market was dominated by European, American and Japanese brands, and even entry-level SUVs were prohibitively expensive for ordinary families.

The entry of Chinese-branded cars in the Angolan market has made vehicles more affordable. Chinese brands now account for more than 60 percent of the market, reshaping the local automotive landscape,” he said.

Chinese vehicles accounted for 39 percent of automobile sales in Egypt in 2025. In Angola, Chinese auto brands serve diverse use cases ranging from daily commutes and family trips to commercial operations.

Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper noted that Chinese-branded vehicles, with their strong value for money and adaptability to local road conditions, have helped fulfill the “automobile dreams” of many Africans, turning cars from luxury goods into everyday means of transportation.

Inside Jetour’s vehicle assembly plant in Helwan, Egypt, automated equipment operates at high efficiency as new models roll off the production line.

“Our Chinese partner has brought advanced automotive manufacturing technologies and proven management expertise, helping us make a major leap forward in our vehicle assembly capabilities,” said Ahmed, the plant manager. 

The Jetour plant provides 1,500 local jobs and has trained nearly 200 skilled technical workers through systematic training programs. Its products now serve not only the Egyptian market but are also exported to countries including Sudan and Libya, making the plant an important automotive manufacturing base serving North Africa.

Changan’s vehicle assembly plant in Cairo has likewise established a strong local presence. Locally assembled models have consistently ranked among Egypt’s best-selling compact SUVs thanks to their competitive prices and performance.

“We are actively promoting the localization of our workforce. Many Egyptian workers have advanced from ordinary production-line positions to key roles as team leaders, with substantial increases in their incomes,” said Xiao Feng, general manager of Changan’s Middle East and Africa operations.

Angolan daily newspaper Jornal de Angola commented that the localization strategies of Chinese automakers go far beyond exporting products. They are also bringing technology, production capacity, and management expertise to African countries, helping transform the continent’s automotive industry toward smart manufacturing and making this a vivid example of mutually beneficial Africa-China cooperation.

Comprehensive after-sales services have become a key competitive advantage for Chinese automakers. Chinese-brand dealerships are now widely distributed across cities such as Cairo and Luanda, with well-equipped service centers and ample supplies of spare parts. Local technicians can quickly diagnose and repair vehicle problems. 

Geely’s outlets in Angola offer around-the-clock roadside assistance with a two-hour rapid-response service, while Chery has established a global warranty system and relies on a large spare-parts warehouse in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, to ensure supplies across Africa.

As they deepen their presence in the African market, Chinese automakers are also actively fulfilling their social responsibilities. Jetour has participated in public welfare projects for ecological conservation in Africa; Changan has established automotive cultural experience centers; and Geely has launched programs to support education. By integrating into local communities, these efforts are helping lay a stronger foundation for China-Africa friendship.

Ahmed Samir, former Minister of Industry and Trade of Egypt, stated: “Chinese automotive brands have injected fresh momentum into the development of Africa’s auto industry. Africa-China cooperation in the automotive sector delivers economic gains for all and builds a bridge of friendship.”

Troops of 101 Special Forces Battalion have recovered three decomposing corpses believed to be those of terrorists who sustained injuries and later died while fleeing a foiled attack in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the discovery was made at about 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 3, 2026, during exploitation operations northeast of Kukawa along the Jemmù-Alagarno axis.

The development followed the foiling of an attack by terrorists on troops of 101 Special Forces Battalion at Cross Kauwa in Kukawa LGA on Aug. 28, 2026.

According to the sources, the terrorists were believed to have sustained injuries during the failed attack and subsequently died along their withdrawal route.

During the exploitation, troops also recovered a damaged AK-47 rifle believed to have been affected by an airstrike, a solar panel, a camouflage shuttle bag, a prayer mat, an empty PKT ammunition link and a raincoat.

The three decomposing corpses were subsequently buried in situ.

The operation forms part of sustained efforts by troops to exploit areas used by terrorists following failed attacks and recover abandoned weapons and equipment.

By: Inuwa Bwala.

It was both chilling and curious, leaving many people still asking, the obvious question about what could be the motive behind last weeks attack on the convoy of Engineer Mustapha Gubio, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for Borno state.
It is a truism that Boko Haram/ISWAP have been operating in Borno since 2009, especially in the Lake Chad axis, and the Gubio-Kareto-Damasak highway in northern Borno has been volatile.
It is a known fact that, the attackers often target soft spots and unguarded personnel.
But targetting Gubio and his entourage which was returning to Maiduguri after a thank-you tour to APC members in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area, following his emergence as the party’s consensus candidate, is curious and worrisome.
It is not enough to say, that, the route has been plied by the state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, who has survived many such attacks.
Gubio’s convoy may not be less fortified, but against the background of our experiences and the fact that we have not experienced such in a long time, makes it more curious to ask, if Gubio is a particular target.
According to the Police, the convoy was targeted with Improvised Explosive Devices and Rocket Propelled Grenades, which again makes it obvious that the attack was premeditated.
A police armoured vehicle leading the convoy detonated a landmine and was badly damaged, which adds another angle to the possibility of a well planned ambush, that was not meant to give the candidate any chance of escape.
The attackers were said to have laid ambush with planted IEDs targeting the convoy and also fired several RPGs, implying a more organized act, different from the hitherto rag tag approach of Boko Haram or ISWAP.
Thanks to the combined team of soldiers, police, NSCDC, DSS, Civilian JTF and vigilante groups, who counter-engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat into the surrounding bush. A scan of the surrounding by Police tactical operatives who cleared the route to neutralise secondary explosive threats, points to the sophistication of Gubio’s security network.

Although, no casualty was recorded among Gubio’s, government officials, or other political stakeholders in the entourage, it remains a terrifying moment, and one may be tempted to ask, who wants Gubio, dead?
One may say, that, the attack highlights the persistent security threat along the 156km Gubio-Kareto-Damasak corridor, a route long regarded as a flashpoint due to insurgent activity, but given our experiences with the targetting of political leaders in the past, a curious mind may not dismiss this as one of such cases of random incidents.
This is not the first time a high-profile Borno politician has been targeted. It may be recalled that, in the build up to the 2011 elections, the governorship candidate of the same ruling party, the APC, was ambushed and killed.
Several other politicians and businessmen had been targeted and killed in very curious circumstances.
As recent as 2020, the convoy of Governor Babagana Zulum was attacked near Baga, and the real circumstances surrounding the incident have remained cloudy.
To sweep this one under the carpet, as a mere Boko Haram ISWAP attack: to me may leave a window open for further mischief.
I have known Engineer Mustapha Gubio, as a consumate gentleman, who cannot hurt a fly.
His emergence as APC’s flagbearer has a lot of prospects, given his pledge to consolidate on Governor Zulum’s achievements in security, resettlement, education and agriculture.
I am aware that investigators may not have not named any individual or political actor behind the attack for now, but citizens are eager.
While accusing fingers point in the direction of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, who may be seeking to destabilize the 2027 political process, a deeper linning could prop up another dangerous design.
As Borno counts its blessings that Gubio survived, the poser remains: Who wants Gubio dead? Until this is resolved and the terrorist, who may be mere canonfodders are fully uprooted, candidates, voters, and convoys will continue to move under the shadow of that question.