From left to right: Général Birame Diop, Minister for the Armed Forces; Franziska Cusumano, CEO Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks at Daimler Truck; Cheikh Ibrahima Cisse, President GTS Senegal (Photo: AETOSWire/Business Wire)
BERLIN — The vehicle manufacturer Daimler Truck plans to have trucks from various Mercedes-Benz series assembled in the West African country of Senegal.
The manufacturer is supporting the establishment of an assembly plant and will then supply disassembled trucks, according to the modular principle, which will be reassembled there, it said July 3.
The plant is intended to supply special vehicles for defense, disaster relief and municipal tasks for the Senegalese market.
Daimler Truck further stated that the plan contributes to the establishment of locally anchored automotive production in West Africa and thus to development there.
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The project is closely coordinated with the German government.
The construction and operation of the plant will be taken over by another company, which will enter into a business agreement with Senegal’s government for this purpose, the company said.
The three partners signed a letter of intent in Senegal’s capital, Dakar. From 2026, vehicles are expected to roll off the production line at the plant.
Daimler Truck currently has locations on the continent in South Africa and Kenya. In South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Trucks, which are delivered in parts from Germany, are also assembled.
Senegal, located at the western tip of Africa, is a stable and peaceful democracy. The government is striving to attract investors to create jobs for the approximately 18 million inhabitants, who are on average very young.
The World Bank forecasts that the country, which has recently also started exporting oil and gas, will have the highest economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa in 2025, at 7.9%.
