15/03/2026
Namibia chosen as assembly hub for German motorcycle brand
Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA has been selected as the primary assembly hub for German motorcycle brand Baierkraft, a move expected to create local employment opportunities and position the country as a strategic base for exporting motorcycles to other African markets.
The announcement was made by Baierkraft founder Torben Baier, an engineer with nearly two decades of experience in global automotive systems. Baier previously worked as a project manager on the A4 and A5 facelift models during his career in the automotive industry.
According to the company, the Baierkraft concept was developed about four years ago, with Namibia chosen as the location for the assembly of its motorcycles due to the country’s climate, landscape and logistical advantages. The first pre-series production of the company’s motorcycle model is expected in August 2026.
Baier said the company aims to design motorcycles specifically suited to the conditions of emerging markets, particularly across Africa, where demand for individual mobility is increasing.
“In emerging markets, the demand for individual mobility is growing. However, the market is often supplied with products that do not fully meet local needs. The African continent lacks motorcycles truly suited to local conditions. Our goal is to build machines that continue to operate under heavy loads, in heat and dust, and over long periods of use,” he said.
The company plans to assemble motorcycles locally and export them to markets in East and West Africa in the future. Baier said Namibia’s rail infrastructure connecting to the Port of Walvis Bay and its trade agreements make the country an ideal base for regional distribution.
Baierkraft anticipates employing more than 200 Namibians by 2027 and is working with several academic partners in Germany, including the University of Kiel, the University of Aachen and the University of Flensburg.
The company’s first model, the ORYX 300, has been designed for use in harsh environments and for demanding operational conditions. The motorcycle is expected to be capable of carrying loads of up to 250 kilograms and is designed with simple servicing requirements and locally available spare parts to reduce downtime.
Baier said the motorcycle platform is also designed to be adaptable for future technologies.
“We are launching with a 300cc internal combustion engine, but the frame and platform are scalable to support other engine options, including battery electric technology in the future,” he said.
The company said that the Baierkraft logo, featuring an oryx, symbolises strength, resilience and adaptability — qualities the company aims to reflect in its motorcycles designed for African operating conditions.
Baier added that the company intends to make the ORYX 300 affordable for the local market, with a price point aimed at making the motorcycle accessible to a wider range of users across the continent.
Further information about the company and its products is available on Baierkraft’s website (https://www.baierkraft.africa/).
BEHIND THE MACHINE: Torben Baier, founder of Baierkraft, stands behind the company’s ORYX 300 motorcycle, which the firm plans to assemble in Namibia for distribution across African markets. Photo: Baierkraft
