State of E-mobility in Africa: Mapping the Transition

Signs of change are emerging across the continent. Electric motorcycles are gaining ground in East African cities, electric buses are reshaping public transport in parts of West Africa, and local companies are developing businesses around battery swapping, vehicle financing and fleet electrification. The IEA estimates that electric two-wheeler sales in Africa reached approximately 70,000 in 2025, up from fewer than 1,000 in 2020.

The central question is how far the transition has progressed and what it will take to turn this early growth into a commercially viable market. For Africa, the implications extend well beyond transport to critical minerals, manufacturing, energy, finance and digital services. Whether the continent can capture a meaningful share of this expanding global industry will depend on its ability to address the barriers to adoption and develop the infrastructure and industrial capabilities needed to support it.

A Global Transition Gathering Pace
The global electric vehicle market has expanded rapidly, supported by technological advances, government policies, growing consumer demand and improvements in battery performance. According to the IEA, global electric car sales exceeded 20 million in 2025, with further growth expected in 2026. Electric mobility is increasingly becoming part of the mainstream automotive industry rather than a niche alternative.

Battery technology is central to this shift. Improvements in battery efficiency, manufacturing scale and supply chains are helping to reshape the economics of electric vehicles. At the same time, investment is extending beyond vehicle production into charging networks, battery manufacturing, software and energy management.

For African markets, however, global growth does not automatically translate into widespread adoption. The continent faces different economic and infrastructure conditions, including lower purchasing power, limited charging networks in many markets and a significant reliance on imported vehicles. These differences make the African transition distinct, with commercial motorcycles, three-wheelers, buses and delivery fleets often presenting more immediate opportunities than private electric cars.

“The global shift towards electric mobility is accelerating, driven by advances in battery technology, falling costs and supportive policies. Electric vehicles are no longer a niche segment of the automotive market; they are becoming an increasingly important part of the global transport system. For Africa, this growth presents both a benchmark and an opportunity to participate in an industry that is reshaping mobility, energy and manufacturing.” – Seble Geberegiorgis, Partner, Ethiopia

Africa’s Transition is Taking a Different Path
In many countries, the immediate commercial opportunity lies less in private passenger cars than in motorcycles, three-wheelers, buses and commercial fleets.

Motorcycle taxis are integral to urban transport and last-mile delivery across much of East Africa. Their high daily utilisation makes fuel and maintenance costs significant, creating a potential economic case for electrification. Battery swapping, leasing and pay-as-you-go arrangements can also reduce upfront costs and limit the time vehicles spend off the road.

Progress is becoming visible. Kenya launched its National Electric Mobility Policy in February 2026, while UNEP reports that approximately 15% of new motorcycles in the country are now electric. Uganda has also recorded significant growth, with electric two-wheeler sales exceeding 30,000 in 2025.

Other models are emerging across the continent. In Senegal, electric buses are operating within Dakar’s bus rapid transit system, demonstrating how electrification can extend to public transport. Meanwhile, companies such as Spiro are expanding electric motorcycle operations and battery-swapping networks across African markets, supported by investment in fleet deployment and infrastructure.

Nevertheless, these developments should be viewed in context. Adoption varies considerably between countries and vehicle categories. High upfront costs, limited access to affordable credit, uneven electricity supply and gaps in charging or swapping infrastructure continue to constrain growth. The availability of suitable vehicles, dependable after-sales support and replacement batteries will also influence consumer confidence.

“The continent’s e-mobility transition is yet to even out, with electric two- and three-wheelers emerging as an important entry point. In markets such as Kenya and Uganda, rising electric motorcycle sales point to growing adoption, particularly in commercial transport. Yet the wider market remains at an early stage, with affordability, charging infrastructure, financing and access to reliable vehicles continuing to shape the pace of adoption.” – Daniel Ngumy, Managing Partner, Kenya

Critical Minerals: Moving Beyond Extraction
Africa’s mineral resources place it within the global electric vehicle supply chain. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a major source of cobalt, while countries, including Gabon and South Africa, produce manganese. Graphite resources are found in Mozambique, Madagascar and Tanzania. These minerals are important to battery production and other technologies supporting the energy transition.

However, possessing mineral resources does not guarantee that a country will capture significant value from the industries they support. Much of the opportunity lies further along the supply chain, in mineral processing, refining, battery materials, component production and related technical services. Without investment in these capabilities, African economies risk remaining suppliers of raw materials while higher-value industrial activity takes place elsewhere.

Building these industries requires reliable energy, transport infrastructure, technical expertise, investment and predictable regulatory frameworks. Regional cooperation could also help countries develop complementary roles across the supply chain, with the African Continental Free Trade Area providing a framework for expanding regional trade and industrial integration.

“Africa’s mineral wealth gives it a potential role in the electric vehicle supply chain, from cobalt to graphite and manganese produced across the continent. But mineral resources alone will not guarantee industrial value. The greater opportunity lies in developing processing capacity, component manufacturing, vehicle assembly and the technical skills needed to retain more value within African economies.” – Inyene Robert, Partner, Nigeria

The strategic question is whether growing demand for battery materials can support more domestic processing, skilled employment and industrial development, allowing Africa to participate further downstream in the global electric mobility value chain.

Manufacturing and related Industries
The development of electric mobility also presents opportunities for vehicle assembly, component manufacturing, maintenance and technical training. Morocco and South Africa have established automotive industries that could support aspects of the transition, while other markets are exploring local assembly and the development of electric two-wheelers and commercial vehicles.

Local production could reduce dependence on imported finished vehicles, support employment and create opportunities for African suppliers. Businesses could also develop around battery servicing, fleet management, software, vehicle financing and charging equipment. These activities may be particularly relevant in markets where electric motorcycles and commercial fleets are gaining traction.

Yet establishing a competitive manufacturing base will not be straightforward. Local producers must contend with imported vehicles, economies of scale in established manufacturing centres, the cost of capital and limited access to specialised components. Policy consistency, technical standards, skills development and access to regional markets will be important in attracting investment and supporting local suppliers.

The objective need not be for every country to manufacture every component. A more practical approach may involve regional specialisation, with countries developing capabilities that complement one another and enable businesses to serve markets across national borders.

Energy, Infrastructure and Financing
Electric vehicles shift energy demand from petrol and diesel to electricity. Their adoption therefore depends on reliable power, accessible charging infrastructure and effective distribution networks.
Battery swapping offers one response for high-use motorcycles, reducing downtime and allowing drivers to access charged batteries without owning them. Solar-powered charging may also help serve locations where grid supply is constrained, although its commercial viability depends on storage costs, electricity demand and infrastructure investment.

For countries heavily dependent on imported petroleum, electrification could reduce exposure to international oil-price volatility and ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Kenya’s government, for example, has highlighted the country’s approximately USD 5 billion annual petroleum import bill as a reason to strengthen energy security through electric mobility.

However, financing remains a major barrier. Even where electric vehicles offer lower operating costs over their lifetimes, their purchase prices can be prohibitive for households and small businesses. For motorcycle taxi drivers, access to affordable credit may determine whether projected fuel savings translate into a viable investment.

UNEP estimates that approximately USD 110 billion in cumulative capital will be needed globally between 2026 and 2035 to reach projected electric two- and three-wheeler sales and fleet volumes. This is a global estimate, not an Africa-specific funding requirement, but it illustrates the scale of financing needed to expand a vehicle category particularly relevant to African markets.

“The expansion of electric mobility will depend on more than the availability of vehicles. Charging networks, battery-swapping systems, reliable electricity and accessible financing will be essential to making adoption commercially viable. Innovative models such as battery-as-a-service, leasing and fleet financing can help reduce upfront costs, particularly for commercial operators. The challenge is to build an ecosystem in which vehicles, energy infrastructure and finance develop together.” – Emmanuel Muragijimana, Partner, Rwanda

The Road Ahead
Africa’s e-mobility industry has moved beyond isolated demonstrations. Electric motorcycles are operating commercially, battery-swapping networks are expanding, electric buses are entering public transport systems, and companies are attracting investment to develop vehicles and supporting infrastructure.

Yet the transition remains uneven, constrained by affordability, electricity supply, charging infrastructure, technical capacity and fragmented regulation. Governments will need to provide clear and consistent policies, while businesses and investors must develop commercially sustainable models suited to local transport needs.

The opportunity is not simply to increase the number of electric vehicles on African roads. It is to connect the continent’s transport needs with its mineral resources, manufacturing ambitions, energy systems and digital economy.

The global market is already reshaping the automotive and energy industries. Africa has the potential to capture a greater share of the value created, but mineral reserves and growing demand will not achieve this on their own. Infrastructure, capital, skills, regional integration and predictable policy will determine how far the industry develops.

Sources

Changing Transport | International Energy Agency | Shell Foundation | United Nations | United Nations Environmental Programme