Kenya and Egypt Spearhead Africa's Shift to Electric Vehicles with Local Innovations

Kenya-based EV company Roam recently announced a remarkable $24 million funding round aimed at scaling its operations across the country. This move reflects a growing interest in indigenous EV solutions, highlighting the potential for sustainable mobility in Africa. Roam's expansion signifies a growing confidence in the viability of the EV market in Kenya and sets a precedent for similar initiatives across the continent.

Meanwhile, BasiGo, Roam's competitor, is broadening its horizons by expanding operations to Rwanda. The company has launched electric buses for public transit, marking a significant milestone in Rwanda's journey towards cleaner, more sustainable urban mobility. BasiGo's expansion into Rwanda demonstrates the scalability of EV solutions in different African markets, underscoring the importance of innovation in addressing transportation challenges.

Egypt is not far behind in the race to electrify its transportation sector. State-owned Al Nasr is collaborating with an undisclosed Chinese company to introduce locally-produced EVs by 2025. This initiative follows Al Nasr's announcement in 2022 to establish Egypt's first EV distributorship in partnership with the National Automotive Company (NATCO). Despite initial challenges in securing a foreign manufacturing partner, Al Nasr's recent deal with a Chinese manufacturer promises to launch five different types of EVs in Egypt next year.

The Egyptian government is supporting this venture with the Egyptian Automotive Industry Development Programme (AIDP), offering up to EGP50,000 ($1,600) in cash incentives to buyers of locally-produced EVs. This initiative aims to stimulate consumer interest in EVs and facilitate Egypt's entry into the $500 billion EV market. Alongside Al Nasr, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT) and a private company, EgyptSat Auto, are also contributing to the country's EV landscape with plans to launch affordable EVs and build infrastructure for electric buses, motorcycles, and charging stations by 2024.

These developments in Kenya and Egypt signal a promising future for the EV industry in Africa. By fostering local innovation and offering incentives for EV adoption, these countries are paving the way for a sustainable transportation ecosystem. As Africa continues to embrace electric mobility, the efforts of companies like Roam, BasiGo, and Al Nasr will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the continent's green future.