Mikel Mabasa is a prominent South African transport economist and automotive industry leader, recognised for his extensive contribution to the development, transformation and strategic positioning of South Africa’s automotive sector. He served for more than six years as CEO of naamsa | The Automotive Business Council, stepping down from the position in April 2026 to pursue interests outside the organisation.
During his tenure, Mikel represented the collective interests of South Africa’s major vehicle manufacturers, assemblers, importers and distributors, engaging extensively with government, OEMs, organised business and international automotive stakeholders. Under his leadership, naamsa strengthened its role in automotive policy and expanded its representation across the broader mobility ecosystem.
Automotive & Economic Expertise
Mikel has been closely involved in some of the industry’s most important conversations around South Africa’s Automotive Masterplan 2035, industrial policy, localisation, manufacturing competitiveness, exports, transformation and the transition to New Energy Vehicles (NEVs).
He has been a particularly vocal advocate for ensuring that South Africa successfully manages the global transition from internal-combustion vehicles to electric, hybrid and other new-energy technologies without compromising the country’s automotive manufacturing base, employment or export competitiveness.
His experience extends internationally. During his automotive leadership career, Mikel served as a Council Member of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) and held non-executive roles with organisations including the Energy Council of South Africa, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and the Automotive Industry Export Council (AIEC).
Broader Business & Government Experience
Before entering automotive industry leadership, Mikel accumulated extensive experience across both the private and public sectors. His corporate career included executive and advisory positions with major organisations such as Heineken, Diageo, Rio Tinto, Adcock Ingram and Japan Tobacco International.
He also has substantial experience in transport and government policy formulation, having worked in senior roles within the national Ministry of Transport and Gauteng Provincial Government. His aviation-sector leadership included serving as Chairman of the Air Services Licensing Council and Chairman of Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS).
Speaker & Panellist
Mikel is particularly well suited to senior-level conversations examining the intersection between automotive manufacturing, transport, industrialisation, trade and Africa’s economic development.
His perspective is especially relevant in 2026 as South Africa’s automotive industry faces major structural shifts, including the rapid growth of Chinese automotive brands, increasing consumer adoption of electrified vehicles, pressure on domestic manufacturing and the global transition towards NEVs.
Speaking Topics: Future of the Automotive Industry • Automotive Manufacturing • South Africa’s Automotive Masterplan 2035 • New Energy Vehicles & EV Transition • Industrialisation • Localisation • African Automotive Growth • Transport Economics • Trade & Exports • Transformation • Future Mobility
Ideal for: Automotive Conferences • Executive Panels • Economic Forums • Manufacturing Conferences • Transport & Logistics Events • Africa Growth Conferences • Future Mobility Discussions
For your “past decade and next decade of the African automotive industry” brief, Mikel would be a particularly credible panellist because he can connect what has happened within the industry over the past 10 years with the policy, technology, manufacturing and investment decisions that will determine its position through 2035.
