African countries forging ahead with electric vehicles
SA likely to produce first EV in 2026
Amid a global push towards electric vehicles, African nations are forging ahead with systems and policies to ramp up EV adoption.
Despite recent headwinds, a growing shift from gasolinepowered vehicles to electric vehicles continues rapidly in Africa.
In 2024, the global sale of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose by 31% compared to 2022, according to a 2024 report by market research firm Rho Motion.
Despite the high cost of conversion and a lack of adequate enabling infrastructure such as charging points, several countries are making notable progress.
Ten African countries with some of the highest numbers of electric vehicles include:
South Africa
In 2020, there were about 6,000 electric automobiles in SA (both fully electric and hybrid), according to government projections.
SA is also exploring the possibility of manufacturing EVS, with the first electric vehicle fully manufactured in the country expected to be ready by 2026, according to the trade minister.
Naamsa expects at least eight new EV products to be introduced in the country in 2024. Morocco
The country’s EV fleet included more than 10,000 hybrid vehicles in 2022, according to the Société Nationale des Autoroutes du Maroc, Morocco’s national authority for the management of its expressways.
Like SA, Morocco boasts a vibrant vehicle manufacturing industry, including worldrenowned car makers such as Renault and Stellantis.
The country is targeting the production of one million cars of all types by 2025.
Part of the plan is to have EVS represent up to 60% of car exports by 2030.
Ongoing investments in battery manufacturing could expedite these ambitions.
Kenya
Statistics released by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority in April 2024, show the number of EV registrations stood at 3,753, as of 2023.
Between July and December last year, 2,694 new EVS were registered, thanks to wide-ranging incentives.
While the number of fully electric four-wheelers is still low (less than 500), according to Africa E-mobility Alliance (Afema), increasing investor activity by companies such as Basigo and Roam promises to increase the numbers.
Kenya recently unveiled its first Electric Mobility (e-mobility) Draft Policy, which outlines policy guidelines in the sector as it pursues a target of having 5% of all vehicle registrations in the country to be electric by 2025.
Tanzania
The country has grown into one of the biggest electric vehicle markets in Africa with electric two- and three-wheelers being the dominant category on its roads. A 2023 report by Afema estimated the number of EVS in Tanzania at 5,000.
While the number of electric four-wheelers is low, there are still a few recent entries from major dealers, including the Tesla Model S, Renault Zoe, Nissan Leaf, and BMW i3.
Angola
The country has one of the highest numbers of electric four-wheelers in Africa, with Afema estimates showing up to 1,000. Policies introduced in 2022 offer import and vehicle tax reductions until 2032. The country is developing an electro-mobility strategic plan to accelerate the sector’s growth.
A 2023 report by CVE Angola, an EV company, shows an additional 2,000 EV imports from the US in 2024.
Ghana
About 17,000 electric vehicles, including two- and threewheelers, are currently registered in the country according to government data.
Ghana also boasts one of the largest EV four-wheeler fleets in Africa, with about 1,000 tracked in Afema’s 2023 report.
In the 2023/24 budget speech, the minister for finance and economic planning unveiled Ghana’s ambitious strategy to boost the EV sector.
This includes waiving import duties on EVS for eight years, starting in 2024.
This initiative also includes exemptions on import duties for semi-knocked down and completely knocked down EVS imported by registered assembly companies and an extension of VAT exemptions on locally assembled vehicles for two more years.
Rwanda
In 2022, the UN Environment Programme reported nearly 900 electric vehicles, including motorcycles and three-wheelers, zipping around Rwanda.
That number is on the rise, driven by supportive government policies fuelling a boom in Ev-related businesses.
Notably, Tesla has entered the Rwandan scene with its Model Y, joining players such as BYD from China.
The arrival of Kenyan start-up Basigo further underscores Rwanda’s commitment to electrifying transport. Afema notes that Rwanda currently boasts 1,182 two- and three-wheelers. Egypt
Multiple estimates from industry professionals suggest there were 3,500 to 4,000 EVS in Egypt in 2023, almost double the 1,000 to 1,800 in 2021.
According to Afema, the number of four-wheeler EVS is still modest, estimated at about 380 as of 2023, with 155 of these electric buses deployed when the country hosted COP27.
The government has an ambitious plan to encourage local EV production, with up to 100,000 units targeted in a few years. To meet this, the government plans to cover up to 35% of the costs per unit of EV produced locally to encourage the local industry.
Ethiopia
According to estimates from Cleantechnica.com, as of 2023 there were some 5,000 to 7,000 electric vehicles on Ethiopia’s roads, with the sector experiencing significant growth thanks to government incentives.
The incentives include VAT, surtax, and excise tax exemptions for all EVS and customs duty tax exemptions for completely knocked-down kits.
The ministry of transport and logistics aims to import a minimum of 4,800 electric buses and 148,000 electric automobiles over the next decade, part of a plan to accelerate EV adoption in the country.
Benin
With more than 3,000 electric vehicles, mainly electric motorcycles, Benin is also emerging as a major player in EV adoption in West Africa.
Private clean mobility startups such as Spiro are heralding the shift of the more than 150,000 motorcycles in the country to use electric engines.
The transformative shift in the country is further evidenced by significant investment in charging infrastructure.