Africa is undergoing a significant transportation transformation, with electric mobility (e-mobility) emerging as a powerful solution to address pressing challenges related to urbanization, air pollution, and energy security. The continent is rapidly adopting electric vehicles (EVs), driven by a combination of government support, entrepreneurial innovation, and increasing consumer demand for cleaner, more affordable transport.
At the heart of this revolution is Kenya, which has established itself as a leader in the East African region and a key hub for e-mobility development on the continent.
The African e-mobility market is on a steep growth trajectory, projected to expand from $2.8 billion in 2023 to $7 billion by 2028 [1]. This growth is fueled by significant investment in the sector. In 2024 alone, African startups raised $2.21 billion, with mobility startups leading the charge in the first quarter, securing $178.6 million [1].
The continent's e-mobility development exhibits distinct regional patterns. East Africa, particularly Kenya, has become a hotbed for e-mobility innovation, focusing on the electrification of commercial vehicles, especially two- and three-wheelers. Southern Africa, led by South Africa, is concentrating on EV manufacturing, though it faces challenges with energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, West Africa, with Nigeria at the forefront, is building strategic partnerships for local EV assembly [1].
Kenya's e-mobility sector is experiencing a boom, driven by a confluence of factors including a robust renewable energy grid (over 90% renewable), strong government support, and a vibrant startup ecosystem. The country has seen a dramatic increase in EV adoption, with the number of registered EVs soaring from just 65 in 2018 to 4,047 by 2023 [1].
The two-wheeler segment, dominated by electric motorcycles (e-bodas), is the driving force of Kenya's e-mobility market. This is largely due to the lower purchase price and the critical role of motorcycle taxis in urban and rural transport. A number of innovative startups are leading this charge:
ARC Ride: A prominent player in the battery-swapping space, ARC Ride recently secured a $10 million debt financing facility to expand its network, aiming to deploy 600 battery-swapping cabinets and 25,000 batteries across Kenya [2, 3].
BasiGo: This startup is focusing on the electrification of public transport, having raised $42 million in 2024 to scale its electric bus operations in East Africa [1].
Spiro: A key player in the Kenyan EV market, Spiro has partnered with US-based Ace Green Recycling to address the critical issue of battery recycling [4].
Watu: This company is a significant force in the e-bike market, contributing to what has been described as an "E-Bike Boom" [5].
Significant investments are flowing into Kenya's e-mobility sector, as evidenced by the recent funding rounds for ARC Ride and BasiGo. This investment is crucial for building out the necessary infrastructure. Recognizing this, the Kenyan government has launched an ambitious nationwide program to install 10,000 public charging stations by 2030, with a budget of 6 billion Kenyan shillings (approx. €39.5 million) [6]. This three-phase plan will prioritize major cities and key transport corridors, with charging stations planned every 25 kilometers along main motorways. The national utility, Kenya Power, is playing a central role in this initiative, starting with the installation of 45 fast-charging stations in six counties [6].
Supportive government policies are a cornerstone of Kenya's e-mobility success. The government has been proactive in creating an enabling environment for EV adoption and local industry development.
Draft National E-Mobility Policy (March 2024): This policy outlines a clear vision for Kenya to become a leader in e-mobility in Africa. Key objectives include promoting local manufacturing and assembly of EVs, developing a comprehensive charging infrastructure, and creating a sustainable transport system [7].
Fiscal Incentives: To make EVs more affordable, the government has introduced a range of tax breaks, including a 0% excise duty, reduced import duties, and VAT exemptions on electric vehicles, batteries, and charging equipment [8].
Government Fleet Electrification: The government is leading by example with a plan to electrify its own vehicle fleet, as well as the police fleet, at a rate of 1,000 vehicles per year [6].
These policies place Kenya alongside other progressive African nations like Ethiopia, which banned the import of non-electric vehicles in early 2024, and Rwanda, which has pledged to electrify 20% of its bus fleet by 2030 [9, 10].
The future of e-mobility in Kenya and across Africa looks promising, with several key trends shaping the path forward:
Battery Swapping as a Key Enabler: Given the challenges of charging infrastructure and the long charging times for fixed batteries, battery swapping is emerging as a dominant model, especially for the commercial two-wheeler segment. Companies like ARC Ride and E-Safiri are pioneering this technology [2, 11].
Focus on Local Manufacturing and Assembly: The government's policy push to promote local industry is expected to lead to an increase in local assembly and, eventually, manufacturing of EVs and their components.
Integration with Renewable Energy: Kenya's high share of renewable energy in its grid is a major advantage, ensuring that the shift to e-mobility results in a genuine reduction in carbon emissions.
Africa's e-mobility sector is at an inflection point, with Kenya firmly in the vanguard. A combination of forward-thinking policies, a dynamic startup scene, and growing investor interest has created a fertile ground for rapid growth. While challenges related to infrastructure, financing, and grid stability persist, the momentum is undeniable. By focusing on the electrification of its massive two-wheeler fleet and building out a robust battery-swapping network, Kenya is not only creating a blueprint for sustainable urban transport but is also paving the way for a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future for the entire continent.
[1] Tech In Africa. (2025, July 7). Funding Trends in African E-Mobility Startups. https://www.techinafrica.com/funding-trends-in-african-e-mobility-startups/
[2] Impact Investor. (2025, September 23). Mirova invests $10m to scale electric mobility in Kenya. https://impact-investor.com/mirova-invests-10m-to-scale-electric-mobility-in-kenya/
[3] Disrupt Africa. (2025, September 30). Kenyan electric mobility startup ARC Ride raises $10m debt capital. https://disrupt-africa.com/2025/09/30/kenyan-electric-mobility-startup-arc-ride-raises-10m-debt-capital/
[4] Recycling International. (2025, May 29). US battery leader pushes African e-mobility recycling. https://recyclinginternational.com/e-waste-batteries/29/05/2025/us-battery-leader-pushes-african-e-mobility-recycling/
[5] The China-Global South Project. (2025, September 23). China E-Mobility Weekly Digest: Chinese EVs Insurance Crisis, African Countries Accelerating Adoption And Watu’s E-Bike Boom. https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2025/09/23/china-e-mobility-weekly-digest-chinese-evs-insurance-crisis-african-countries-accelerating-adoption-and-watus-e-bike-boom/
[6] electrive.com. (2025, October 6). Kenya to install 10,000 public charging stations by 2030. https://www.electrive.com/2025/10/06/kenya-to-install-10000-public-charging-stations-by-2030/
[7] Ministry of Roads and Transport, Kenya. (2024, March 27). Draft National e-Mobility Policy. https://transport.go.ke/sites/default/files/Draft%20National%20e-Mobility%20Policy_For%20Circulation%2027.03.2024.pdf
[8] EV24.africa. (2025, July 19). Kenya EV Import Guide 2025: Costs, Incentives & Step-by-Step Process. https://www.ev24.africa/kenya-ev-import-guide-2025-costs-incentives-step-by-step-process/
[9] EV24.africa. (2025, October 6). How Ethiopia's EV Push Could Transform Africa. https://www.ev24.africa/ethiopia-ev-push-transform-africa/
[10] World Bank. (2025, September 30). Building the Energy Foundations for Rwanda's Electric Mobility Transition. http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/09/30/building-the-energy-foundations-for-rwanda-s-electric-mobility-transition
[11] Royal Academy of Engineering. (2025, September 16). Four finalists unveiled for Africa Prize. https://www.raeng.org.uk/news/neonatal-healthcare-agritech-sign-language-translation-and-e-mobility-four-finalists-unveiled-for-the-2025-africa-prize-for-engineering-innovation/