Daimler Truck to Begin Assembling Mercedes-Benz Lorries in Senegal by 2026

German vehicle manufacturer Daimler Truck has announced plans to begin assembling Mercedes-Benz lorries in Senegal as part of efforts to expand local vehicle production in West Africa.

The company said Tuesday it is supporting the setup of an assembly plant in the country and will supply disassembled lorries using a modular system, which will be reassembled locally.

The facility will produce special-purpose vehicles for defence, emergency response, and municipal services to serve the Senegalese market.

Daimler Truck said the initiative will contribute to establishing a sustainable automotive industry in the region and promote local development. The project is being carried out in close coordination with the German government.

While Daimler Truck will supply the vehicle components, a separate company will handle the plant’s construction and operations under a business agreement with Senegal’s government. A letter of intent was signed in Dakar to formalize the partnership.

Vehicle assembly is expected to begin in 2026.

Daimler Truck already operates in South Africa and Kenya, where Mercedes-Benz trucks are assembled from parts shipped from Germany.

Senegal, a stable democracy with a young population of about 18 million, has been actively attracting foreign investment to boost job creation. The World Bank projects the country will post the highest economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa in 2025, with a forecasted rate of 7.9%, driven in part by recent oil and gas exports.