Vila is a 30-year Nissan veteran with extensive experience sales and marketing in leading roles both at regional headquarters and markets, including among others Nissan Netherlands and Nissan Nordics, as well as Sales and Network Operations for Nissan in Europe. Prior to this appointment, he was Divisional Vice President Marketing and Sales for Nissan Europe, and before that he was leading Asia and Oceania region as Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing.

He said he was looking forward to his new appointment.

“Africa is an important and strategic market for Nissan and presents many opportunities in the years to come,” he said. “We have a strong local presence and I’m sure we will continue to harness that expertise to deliver exceptional products and services for our African customers.”

Paiva is leaving Nissan after 11 years with the company, which has included strategic roles in North America and latterly Nissan Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania region where he played an instrumental role. Under his leadership, multiple new models were successfully launched across the region including Magnite and the iconic Patrol. Paiva is returning to the Renault group, where he was before joining Nissan.

Reflecting on his time overseeing Africa for Nissan, Paiva paid tribute to the management of Nissan Africa for their skillful handling of different challenges across the continent in the last year. The continent, he said, held a very special place in his heart and in Nissan’s strategies as it was the world’s last great automotive frontier.

“Nissan Africa is now well positioned with a solid organization and a clear brand strategy, underpinned by a unified product line up for the entire continent. Nissan is ready to capture the continent’s growth being the only OEM with a strong industrial footprint with fully owned manufacturing plants in Egypt and South Africa, as well as assembly operations in Ghana and Nigeria” he added.

Next week, Nissan Africa will be launching Daring Africa 2024; an eight-country odyssey comprising five Navaras and a Nissan X-Trail, from the home of the Navara in South Africa to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Kenya, later ending in Egypt. The epic adventure will showcase both the Navara’s capabilities and Nissan’s African partners in the individual markets, while linking the assembly plants in Rosslyn and Cairo, ahead of the Navara’s introduction to the Egyptian market.