New change of leadership at Nissan Africa seeks to unlock continent’s auto industry opportunities
The leadership changes will see Mike Whitfield become group strategic adviser for policies, political affairs and external relations. Image: Supplied
NAIROBI, Kenya – Nissan Africa has appointed Sherief Eldessouky as the new Managing Director of Nissan Africa. He is taking over from Mike Whitfield, who will now become the Group Strategic Advisor for Policies, Political Affairs, and External Relations.
These new changes in leadership are aimed at unlocking the African market opportunities as the vehicle manufacturer seeks to grow its market share in Africa.
The new leadership structure will take effect from April 1, 2023, to drive the company’s mid-term plan.
Previously, Eldessouky had a combined role of being Nissan Egypt’s country director and driving the transformation of Nissan Africa.
He has spent his life in the automotive industry in a career that has taken him from his native Egypt to Brazil, China, Korea, the United States, and Uzbekistan.
Eldessouky “Nissan is well positioned on the continent, with an incredible legacy. Our job as a management team has been to establish just how we bring more wealth and value to a region with promising automotive growth opportunities with its rate of 42 vehicles per 1000 compared to the global average of 182. I am confident that with the team we have in Africa and the support that we get from our Nissan colleagues in the rest of the world.”
Having joined Nissan in 2020 as head of the OEM’s automotive manufacturing operation in Egypt and was appointed country director at the end of that year.
The position of Country Director Nissan Egypt will be filled by Mohamed Samad, who will return to Cairo from Japan where he was based. Kabelo Rabotho remains the country director for Nissan South Africa.
Maciej Klenkiewicz, currently Managing Director RBU Central Eastern Europe (CEE) will expand his current scope to include Independent Markets Africa, making the most of his previous ASEAN importer management experience replacing Hide Kuwayama who is assuming a new position in Nissan’s global headquarters.
“These are exciting times for Nissan Africa,” says Joni Paiva who was recently appointed as Africa President. “We have a very strong management team in place to drive the medium-term plan of ‘Let’s Build’ and to deliver the mobility solutions that Africa needs.”
These appointments are the latest iterations in a raft of changes and consolidations which have seen Nissan Africa take responsibility for the North African territories of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia last year.
“These are clear signals of the importance of Africa to Nissan globally through this new increased focus on the continent,” says Paiva.
Paiva will also continue his current position as Divisional Vice President, overseeing Sales and Marketing, India.
Nissan’s market share in Africa is above 10 percent. In Egypt, it is nearly 14 percent and in South Africa is below 10 percent.
The company has a commercial and industrial presence in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Ghana. The car manufacturer has production facilities and plants in South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria through a hybrid structure of either full ownership or partnerships. An assembly facility in Ghana is under development.
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