In a landmark agreement poised to significantly advance Senegal’s industrial capabilities, Mercedes-Benz, through its globally recognized Daimler Truck division, has formally committed to establishing a state-of-the-art truck assembly plant in the West African nation.
The initiative is solidified through a three-way letter of intent, creating a strategic public-private partnership between the Senegalese government, Daimler Truck, and its local partner, Global Truck Systems (GTS). This collaboration follows a pivotal meeting between Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, and a high-level Mercedes Trucks delegation led by its CEO, Franziska Cusumano.
A Phased Approach to Local Production
The core of the venture involves assembling Mercedes-Benz trucks from Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits. These kits, containing all necessary components, will be supplied by Daimler Truck and constructed locally in Senegal. This model is designed to maximize technology transfer, build a skilled local workforce, and reduce the country’s reliance on fully assembled vehicle imports.
Production will be rolled out in two distinct phases:
- Initial Phase: The assembly line will first focus on producing vehicles for essential state functions, including trucks for the military, fire departments, and national police forces.
- Expansion Phase: Production will subsequently broaden to encompass a wide range of civilian and commercial trucks, catering to critical sectors such as waste management, construction, and logistics.
Jan Weber, Commercial Director at Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, confirmed the ambitious timeline. Speaking on Senegal’s RTS broadcaster, he indicated that the first assembly line is projected to be fully functional by the end of 2025, with the first locally assembled trucks expected to roll out in 2026 and be delivered to customers shortly thereafter.
Division of Roles and Responsibilities
The agreement clearly outlines the contributions of each partner:
- The Senegalese Government: Will act as a key enabler by providing industrial land for the facility, offering strategic tax and customs incentives, and supporting robust training programs for the local workforce. This aligns directly with national plans to enhance industrial sovereignty.
- Global Truck Systems (GTS): The local partner will spearhead the on-the-ground execution. GTS is responsible for the construction and operational management of the assembly plant, including all hiring, workforce training, the physical assembly of CKD parts, and vehicle customization (such as fitting cranes or container frames). They will also manage sales and distribution.
- Daimler Truck (Mercedes-Benz): Will provide the foundational technology and support. This includes supplying the CKD kits, enforcing rigorous quality control standards to match its global reputation, offering continuous technical support, and establishing a long-term after-sales service network.
Strategic Benefits for Senegal and Mercedes-Benz
For Senegal, this project is a cornerstone of its industrial and defense development strategy. Officials emphasize that it significantly boosts national autonomy in vehicle production and supports a broader governmental push toward local manufacturing. The economic impact is expected to be substantial, initially creating several hundred direct jobs with the potential to expand into the thousands as the plant scales up.
From Daimler Truck’s perspective, the venture is a calculated strategic expansion into Africa’s dynamic automotive markets. While already a market leader with production facilities in South Africa and a strong presence in North Africa (Egypt, Algeria), this plant positions Mercedes-Benz at the heart of the emerging and rapidly growing West African economic landscape.
Dakar was selected as the ideal location due to its strategic advantages, including a bustling deep-water port and sophisticated logistics infrastructure, making it a natural hub for distributing vehicles throughout the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. Consequently, the initiative is expected to create a ripple effect, benefiting not just Senegal but also neighboring countries by spurring the growth of related industries and elevating workforce skills across the region.
