About the AIDC-EC

The Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) is the preeminent implementation agency tasked with the growth, global competitiveness, and transformation of the automotive sector in the Eastern Cape.

Established as a subsidiary of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the organisation operates as a vital link between the strategic objectives of government, the rapid evolution of global automotive trends, and the operational realities of the local manufacturing value chain.

By positioning the Eastern Cape as a high-performance manufacturing hub, the AIDC-EC ensures the province remains at the heart of South Africa’s industrial economy. The mission is centred on enhancing industrial productivity, fostering high-tech innovation, and developing a highly skilled workforce capable of leading the next generation of mobility.
To maintain a direct and responsive connection with the industrial heartlands of the province, the AIDC-EC operates from dual strategic hubs located in the primary automotive corridors of the Eastern Cape.

Further north, the organisation drives strategic operations and fosters collaboration with the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) from its offices in the Buffalo City Metro. This facility is located at Ocean Terrace Park, Moore Street, Quigney, East London, 5201, ensuring that the growing automotive corridor receives dedicated support and localised expertise. These two locations provide a comprehensive footprint that allows for seamless engagement with every level of the automotive value chain across the province.

VISION:

To be a catalyst for a transformed, growing and sustainable automotive sector in the Eastern Cape.

MISSION:

To facilitate collaboration between government and all its automotive sector stakeholders to achieve competitiveness of the Eastern Cape.

VALUES

Teamwork

Integrity

Ethics

Service Excellence

Eastern Cape Automotive Masterplan 2035

The organisation’s long-term vision is encapsulated in the Provincial Automotive Masterplan 2035. This framework was developed through high-level technical assistance from the World Bank and the National Treasury, ensuring the Eastern Cape's trajectory is aligned with the South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM) 2035.

The AIDC-EC provides the institutional framework to ensure this Provincial Masterplan is integrated with critical and progressive government prescripts, including:

The Green and White Paper on New Energy Vehicles (NEVs):
Designing the roadmap for the local industry’s transition from internal combustion engines to electric and hybrid platforms.
The Green Transport Strategy:
Advocating for sustainable logistics and carbon-neutral manufacturing processes.
Industrial Policy Support:
Aligning provincial efforts with national transformation and localisation mandates.

The objectives of the Masterplan are designed to address specific socio-economic imperatives, namely transformation, the development of Industry 4.0 skills, the promotion of localisation, and the enhancement of global supplier competitiveness. Achieving these pillars ensures that the automotive sector continues to serve as a primary engine for job creation and economic stability in the region.

Strategic Interventions and Programs

The AIDC-EC executes its mandate through a comprehensive suite of strategic interventions tailored for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and the broader supplier network:

Supply Chain Development
By working closely with SMMEs and Tier 1–3 suppliers, the AIDC-EC focuses on improving manufacturing efficiencies and ensuring local firms meet rigorous global quality standards. This support is essential for increasing the local content of vehicles manufactured for export.
Skills Development and Training
The organisation bridges the gap between traditional mechanical skills and the digital demands of modern manufacturing. Specialised training programs focus on robotics, automation, and advanced engineering, preparing the Eastern Cape workforce for the future of work.
Infrastructure and Investment Facilitation
The AIDC-EC facilitates the development of world-class infrastructure, ensuring that the province offers the logistics, technical facilities, and industrial parks required for high-volume domestic production and international trade.
Innovation and e-Mobility
Recognising the global shift toward sustainability, the AIDC-EC is a lead advocate for the Electric Vehicle (EV) transition. This involves spearheading the expansion of charging infrastructure and supporting green-energy manufacturing initiatives to future-proof the provincial economy.

Leadership

Acting Chief Executive Officer

L Mbobo-Vava

The AIDC-EC has a board of five directors, comprising of an independent non-executive Chairperson and four independent non-executive directors.

In line with King code recommendation, the roles of the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) are separate.

The chairman’s role is to lead the board and the CEO is responsible for managing the operational activities of the AIDC-EC.

Board of Directors

The board has a diverse skillset and experience, ranging from the automotive and related industries, financial, governance, human resources and legal and compliance sectors to the board.

In 2025, the Shareholder appointed a Shareholder nominee director to the AIDC-EC Board. Ms T Cumming’s appointment aims to strengthen the relationship between Shareholder and Subsidiary.