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After a visit to Sierra Leone in 2004, Philip Dean (co-owner of West Africa 4×4) started rescuing some of the estimated 3000 war orphans that were roaming the streets after the war. Initially this was just personal but later a charity was formed (St George Foundation) and has since given a home to over 1500 children, spending over $2,000,000 in the process. After years of working only in Sierra Leone they are now turning to the war torn Congo.
Never was there an expectation to set up a charity and never a thought to set up a car business. That particular seed was sewn after hiring an absolutely clapped out 4X4 on a trip and then being presented with a bill for $100/day… A ‘You have to be joking’ moment that eventually evolved into West Africa 4X4.
That was the thinking that West Africa 4×4 grew from. We may not be able to give all these wonderful people money, but could we do something else? They nearly all use cars, so if we could make cars more efficient we could save them money and help their projects run better.
By evolving the tiny project Sierra Leone 4X4 and bringing in experts, getting involved with companies experienced in large volumes with economies of scale and convincing investors, West Africa 4X4 is poised to become the ‘go to’ place for organisations to invest in vehicles for their projects. To buy in confidence that that vehicle will be supported and was a viable proposition in the first place. We do not want people to fundraise for a car that lasts 8 months: buying a car through West Africa 4X4 will be an investment in a project’s future.
This involves a huge jump from a tiny business to a commercial enterprise with a professional team required. We are doing this in stages…
So first we are committed to our mission statement. Providing the most reliable, environmentally clean vehicles with the most ethical and stress free process and then working to ensure we manage that from the very first activity.
Today, West Africa 4X4 is concentrating on the supply chain, ensuring the sourcing and successful delivery of the right vehicles at a variety of budgets available in bulk to a large number of African ports. Alongside that is making sure that parts remain available for on-going maintenance. The vehicles are being quoted delivered to the port only for the customer to clear them. This in itself is a lot to get right and at this stage we are not passing that point.
We are also actively working towards being able to offer financing options on the vehicles to spread the purchase cost. This then would allow customers to upgrade the quality and age of vehicles purchased. Striving to be environmentally friendly means newer and better cars in many cases that are more fuel efficient and cleaner and this is why we are pursuing this option as hard as we can. It is surprisingly difficult though to find funding for projects in Africa.
Future evolution is to become more deeply involved in the life of the vehicle and having our own technicians and eventually technical training available so that the vehicles can be supported long term on the ground by our own team.
As we progress we will also be looking at introducing hybrid or clean vehicles as they become a realistic possibility. The problem now that is stopping hybrid or electric vehicles being introduced is the lack of highly technical support that these vehicles require.
The simplest way to buy vehicles fit for Africa but fit for the future with Carbon offset as standard.
In fact JMC manufacture the Ford Territory, the Transit van, the Torneo van, and the Everest SUV all under the Ford badge.
We have chosen to promote just one vehicle for now – their pick up – the JMC VEGUS.
Among all the vehicles we have seen – if you just need a value for money workhorse we think that this is a real contender.
It shares the Puma engine that has been in the Ford Transit for years, the London taxi and the Land Rover Defender to name a few, so the engine is well tested. The Vegus also shares a Ford Transmission system, Ford suspension so this is not an unknown vehicle really.
Comes with a healthy guarantee and we are having the vehicles made to order so we can request the fuel system can work with the local African fuel quality and you will enjoy a fuel system capable of handling the not so great fuels available in Africa.
Foton really stand out as the Chinese brand that seems to have had more than other Chinese brands and successfully trading in Australia, New Zealand, most of South America and Asia.
Surprisingly, they are not that Chinese actually…They use Cummins diesel engines, Getrag Ford make the transmissions, Borg Warner make the transfer case and Dana make the axles.
Owners find them good value for money and they will eventually become a worldwide and well-known brand supplying pick-ups, SUVs, mini buses, trucks, tractors and coaches.
Buy them new and they compare in price to many more well-known brands when second hand and come with a healthy guarantee.
At West Africa 4×4 we are delighted to be able to supply them and see them as a great option if you need a vehicle for a project and you don’t have a huge budget.
At the moment we are working on each order on a case by case system and very happy to provide a live quote for your particular location and need, so feel free to ask the questions you have.
A transparent off the shelf transaction, on a budget, we are combining maximum quality with the confidence and expectations associated with some of the most trustworthy names the industry.
It minimises exposure for your organisation, saves time and resources, and knowing that both car and dealership are excellent you can confidently expect the car to have a good working life ahead. The cars are in stock and West Africa 4X4 can deliver them to you at a more cost effective rate than arranging it yourself.
Before being presented by a main dealership, all the vehicles offered were carefully chosen to start with and have passed a thorough test and servicing procedure. Looking great and knowing they are mechanically sound, you really can just choose the one you want and place your order. We will then secure it for you, sort the paperwork, the shipping, and have them delivered to West Africa.
West Africa 4X4 is committed to working at the highest ethical and quality standards and the principal of having vehicles thoroughly examined means we don’t expect unwelcome surprises later on. When you ‘Browse all vehicles’ you will see others professionally vetted and scored – note that we only offer the ones that scored 5/5 mechanically, but for peace of mind and about $150 you are welcome to have a vehicle retested.
Regarding commercial vehicles the procedure is slightly different by providing a final vetting (to the same standards) as part of the purchase procedure.