Africa’s electric bus production capacity grows 44%

September 22, 2025

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Africa’s electric bus production capacity has surged by 44% from 2,740 to 3,940 units annually, according to the Mobility Rising projects database. The increase follows the recent launch of a new factory by MCV, the Middle East and Africa’s largest bus manufacturer. The facility adds new capacity for 1,200 electric buses per year, with potential expansion to 2,500 units.

  • With over 60% of Africa’s population relying on public transport and more than one million buses in operation, the potential for electric buses is immense. Their adoption could significantly transform urban mobility and reduce emissions.

  • Successful deployments in Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa prove their viability. The entry of MCV, with its expertise and financial strength, is set to make e-buses more accessible across the continent.

  • Our take: Despite this capacity, reaching maximum production remains out of reach due to supply chain constraints… Read more (2 min)

Chinese EV company IM Motors, a joint venture between SAIC Motor and Chinese technology companies Alibaba Group and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech, has entered Egypt, its first market in Africa. The company has introduced the IM5 sedan, IM6 compact SUV, and the LS7 luxury mid-size SUV to the Egyptian market. The prices of the electric cars range from $38,400 to $58,100. 

  • IM Motors joins BYD, Xpeng, Dongfeng and Zeekr as the main Chinese brands to launch electric cars in Egypt. GWM has introduced hybrids, while Changan and Geely have announced plans to introduce electric cars to the market. 

  • IM Motor’s Egypt debut highlights the country’s growing status as a leading EV market in Africa, vying with South Africa. A growing number of EV companies are making North Africa their first port of call on the continent.  

  • Our take: While Egypt has become a magnet for new EV companies, its recent increase of charging prices will reduce the appeal of EVs … Read more (2 min)

South African power utility Eskom has onboarded its first 20 electric vehicles. They consist of light delivery vehicles and light trucks deployed for internal use with plans to acquire another 100 EVs in the near future. Eskom has also built 10 EV charging stations to support its new electric fleet. It seeks to transition its entire fleet of more than 13,000 vehicles to EVs by 2040. 

  • Large corporate customers such as Eskom can have a dramatic impact on EV sales in Africa, especially where adoption is still low.  

  • More than 1,250 EVs were sold in South Africa in 2024, making it the continent’s biggest EV market. The increased demand for electricity from EVs will exert new pressure on Eskom, which has been struggling to keep the lights on. 

  • Our take: Corporate fleet transitions like Eskom’s will be a major driver of EV sales in Africa… Read more (2 min)

Loxea Kenya Managing Director Jennifer Kinyoe (right) during the unveiling of the BYD Shark 6

Events

📅 Attend youths in e-mobility webinar (Sept 25)

📅 Attend Africa Startup Festival in Kenya (Oct 30)

📅 Register for Smarter Mobility Africa in South Africa (Oct 1)

Jobs

👮 Become a Driver Experience Manager at MAX (Nigeria)

🖥️ Apply for Network Management Associate’s role at Kofa (Kenya)

💼 Lead Business Management at M-Kopa (Kenya)

Various 

🚍 Dar es Salaam to deploy all-electric buses in BRT phase 4

🚗 Changan South Africa makes high-tech EV driving easy

🛵 Spiro’s electric mobility vision and digital banking role

Seen on LinkedIn 

Abdul Saka-Abdulrahim, COO of Stears, says, “If you want to see Africa’s EV story in real life, don’t look at cars. Watch the motorbikes.”