China EVs pivot Kenya’s shift in manufacturing sector
By John Otini, July 19, 2025As global EV companies, particularly from China, pivot toward Africa to offset rising trade barriers in Europe and the United States, a local assembly industry is quietly gathering pace, hidden behind the hype of EV adoption.
From electric cars and motorcycles to charging infrastructure and e-cookers, Kenya’s manufacturing landscape is undergoing a quiet transformation—powered by local assembly lines and a growing value chain that is employing thousands.
At the centre of this shift is a burgeoning ecosystem driven by the convergence of strategic geography, youthful innovation, and rising global realignments in trade.
With Chinese automakers like Chery, BYD, and MojaEV setting up assembly lines in Kenya, the country is now positioning itself as the launchpad for EV growth across East and Central Africa.
MojaEV Kenya Ltd, a Nairobi-based electric vehicle distributor, is partnering with Mombasa-based Associated Vehicle Assemblers Ltd (AVA) to assemble EVs and is already exporting units to Tanzania, with more African markets in sight.
“We have contracts in place,” said Erick Lumallas, an aide to MojaEV’s CEO told the media.
“All the original equipment manufacturers are in agreement with us; they will give us the expertise we need to build the factory.”
MojaEV plans to build its own plant in the future, where battery and solar components will also be assembled, supporting the broader green energy transition.
The company projects to produce about 300 vehicles per month and 1,500 units annually.
Crucially, local assembly will reduce costs significantly by bypassing high import duties, making EVs more accessible to local buyers and regional fleets.
In a similar move, Chinese automaker Chery, in partnership with Afrigreen Automobile, has announced a US$20 million investment to establish an assembly plant in Kenya.
The facility, which will generate roughly 3,000 jobs, cements Chery’s decision to use Kenya as the base for its African expansion.
The company cited Kenya’s skilled labour, stable policy environment, and strategic location as core reasons for the move.
A new revolution
Kenya’s EV revolution isn’t limited to cars. The country is witnessing an explosion in electric motorcycle and bicycle assembly, with players like Ampersand, Spiro, Ecobodaa, and Roam leading the charge.
Ampersand, which operates in both Kenya and Rwanda, has established local assembly and battery swap stations for e-motorcycles.
The model reduces upfront costs for riders and supports greener mobility in urban centres.
Roam not only assembles electric motorcycles locally but also manufactures electric buses and energy infrastructure such as charging stations.
Ecobodaa and Spiro offer locally assembled electric motorbikes, especially targeting the country’s thousands of boda boda riders with more efficient, cheaper alternatives..
“The assembly plant will help the transport sector become greener. He highlighted that the country currently has about 4,000 electric vehicles compared to around 1.7 million cars on the roads,” said Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry.
Opportunities abound
Kenya’s electric vehicle market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 57.9 per cent from 2024 to 2030 and is expected to exceed $800 billion by 2027.
In the home energy space, BURN Manufacturing, known for its improved cookstoves, is now assembling electric induction cookers in Kenya.
The local production of these clean energy appliances contributes to reducing indoor air pollution while promoting electrification and job creation.
EV charging companies are also scaling fast to support the growing demand. Roam and MojaEV are setting up charging stations and distribution networks, providing both on-board and stationary chargers.
This infrastructure is vital for EV uptake, especially in a country where reliable electricity access remains uneven.
Kenya’s emergence as a regional EV manufacturing hub is also aided by its role as a gateway to Africa.
The country’s proximity to key markets like Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Ethiopia—combined with access to the port of Mombasa—makes it an ideal base for regional export.
Chery and MojaEV both see Kenya not just as a market but as a springboard. MojaEV is already exporting to Tanzania, while Chery is expected to serve markets across East Africa from its Kenya facility.
This aligns with broader trends: South Africa, long Africa’s manufacturing giant, is being joined by new regional powerhouses like Kenya, which offer unique strategic advantages.
Kenya’s rise in the EV landscape is also a byproduct of global realignments in trade. Chinese automakers, once focused on Europe and the US, are now turning to Africa due to escalating tariffs.
The United States has imposed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese EVs, and the EU recently introduced steep import duties, eroding China’s traditional price advantage.
Chinese firms like BYD, Chery, Great Wall Motor (GWM), and DongFeng are now actively pursuing African markets, attracted by the long-term growth potential.
Although Africa’s EV market is still small, industry estimates suggest sub-Saharan Africa could eventually support up to 4 million new car sales annually.
Feasibility studies
As part of this strategy, many Chinese manufacturers are considering semi-knockdown (SKD) plants in Africa—facilities that assemble pre-fabricated kits into complete vehicles.
This reduces shipping costs, takes advantage of government incentives, and fosters local job creation.
The South African model, where firms like GWM and Omoda & Jaecoo are conducting feasibility studies for local production, is already being replicated in Kenya.
The cumulative impact of these investments is reshaping Kenya’s industrial base.
Local EV assembly lines create jobs not just for engineers and mechanics but for a wide range of auxiliary services—from logistics and customs to dealerships and repair centres.
The green transition is also getting a boost. By assembling electric cookers, motorcycles, and vehicles locally, Kenya is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and offering cleaner alternatives in both transport and home energy.
The lower upfront cost of EVs, thanks to import duty savings, is a critical factor in making these products viable for mass adoption compared to traditional market leaders like Toyota.
In turn, this boosts demand and catalyses further investment in charging infrastructure, battery production, and smart mobility services.
Moreover, these ventures facilitate technology and knowledge transfer. MojaEV’s partnerships with local manufacturers are already creating local know-how in EV design, assembly, and maintenance.
The long-term result is a more skilled workforce and a locally adapted green industry.
Kenya is no longer merely adopting electric vehicle technology—it is manufacturing it.
As Chinese companies redirect their global expansion strategies toward Africa, and as local innovators scale up, Kenya is emerging as a continental leader in EV assembly and distribution.
From electric motorcycles to solar-powered chargers and induction cookers, the country is building a value chain that touches every part of the green economy.