africon has been admitted to the VDMA Beratungsnetzwerk, the consulting network of Germany’s mechanical and plant engineering association. For machinery and equipment manufacturers, this means a vetted, direct line to africon’s on-the-ground Africa expertise, exactly when supply chains, sourcing and growth are moving towards the continent.
The VDMA represents around 3,500 companies in the German and European machinery and equipment industry, the country’s largest industrial employer. Through its Beratungsnetzwerk, VDMA members gain direct access to a vetted network of advisors with proven industry competence. africon is now listed there as the specialist for growth in Africa. With more than 15 years of experience and over 100 machinery and equipment manufacturers advised, africon combines a deep understanding of the German Mittelstand with its own teams and services in more than ten African countries and a track record of over 200 completed projects on the continent. Its headquarters are in Bremen.
What this means for machinery and equipment manufacturers
Most machinery and equipment manufacturers already know that Africa matters for sourcing, supply chain resilience and new sales markets. The hard part is acting on it without losing time and budget on the wrong country, the wrong partner or a plan that does not survive contact with the local market. Through the Beratungsnetzwerk, VDMA members now reach a pre-vetted Africa specialist directly, which shortens the path from interest to a concrete, low-risk plan.
3 ways africon supports the Maschinen- und Anlagenbau in Africa
1. Finding and vetting the right local partners
The right distributor, agent or service partner decides whether a market works. africon identifies and checks partners on the ground, so you start with people you can rely on, not a list of names.
2. Turning a market into projects
From market sizing and go-to-market design to business development, africon helps you prioritise the right countries and convert them into concrete projects and revenue, not a study that sits in a drawer.
3. Local project management on the ground
africon’s own teams in more than ten African countries manage projects locally, so timelines, costs and quality stay under control even when you are thousands of kilometres away.
Talk to africon about your Africa strategy
africon’s teams on the ground, combined with a strong network of local companies and institutions, can reduce the time, cost and risk of your growth strategy in Africa. If you are a machinery or equipment manufacturer weighing up the continent, write to us at info@africon.de for a confidential first conversation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the VDMA Beratungsnetzwerk?
It is the consulting network of the VDMA, Germany’s mechanical and plant engineering association. It gives VDMA member companies direct access to vetted, specialised advisors for the machinery and equipment industry. africon is listed there as the specialist for growth in African markets.
Which African markets and sectors does africon cover?
africon works across the continent with its own teams in countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania. Beyond machinery and equipment, it advises in automotive and mobility, building materials, chemicals, consumer goods and healthcare.
africon thanks the VDMA Beratungsnetzwerk for the admission and looks forward to helping VDMA member companies turn Africa’s potential into concrete, well-managed growth.