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Africa’s electric motorcycle imports from China jump 180%

July 22, 2025

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African countries imported 266,026 electric motorcycles from China in the first six months of 2025, according to official government data. This marks an increase of 180% from 94,954 units imported in the first half of 2024. China remains the primary source of electric motorcycles, but other Asian countries like India, Thailand and Vietnam are adding volume too. 

  • The half-year imports have already exceeded the 244,716 electric motorcycles that were imported from China in the whole of 2024. Whole-year demand could cross the half-million mark for the first time.  

  • This year’s imports are valued at $77 million so far, translating to an average price of $289.99 per unit. This is an increase from an average price of $276.70 per unit in the same period last year. 

  • Our take: Africa’s reliance on imported electric motorcycles is expected to continue despite the growth in local assembly… Read more (2 min)

Africa’s ten leading electric mobility companies as ranked by the number of their employees increased their workforce by 1,289 staff over the past 12 months, according to analysis of LinkedIn data by Mobility Rising. The new hires make up 38% of the current workforce, which totals 3,386 employees, highlighting the rapid pace at which the continent’s top firms are growing. 

  • The top ten firms, ranked from first to last, are Tesla, Spiro, Max, Rubicon and Ampersand. Others are Roam Electric, Kiira Motors Corporation, Gogo Electric, BYD and BasiGo. 

  • Half of the top ten largest employers in the electric mobility industry are electric motorcycle companies, underlining the potential of the sector. 

  • Our take: Competition for top talent will intensify as EV firms look to scale rapidly… Read more (2 min)

While fossil fuel stations have had over a century to build a reliable network, EVs are still held back by the limited number of charging stations, says BasiGo MD Moses Nderitu. For Kenya’s electric vehicle market to thrive, charging must be fast, affordable and widely accessible. However, high installation costs and challenges in securing land continue to slow progress.

  • Mr Nderitu is a recognised leader in Kenya’s e-mobility space, with over a decade of experience in the transport sector. He is the Kenya Managing Director and Chief Revenue Officer at electric bus startup BasiGo. Previously, he was a director and regulatory advisor at ARC Ride. 

  • To fast-track EV infrastructure, he proposes targeted policy reforms. Instead of depending on expensive grid upgrades, Mr Nderitu suggests the government allows EV users to install their own transformers while still benefiting from the low Electric Mobility tariff. 

  • Read the full opinion piece here… (2 min)

Rukaiya Khoja, Chaja Africa’s Finance & Business Development Lead, summits Mt Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru Peak

 

Events

📅 Attend the Future of Africa’s E-Mobility event in South Africa (July 23)

📅 Register for public transport electrification webinar (July 23)

📅 Secure a spot at Morocco’s EV Show (Sept 16)

Jobs

⛑️ Apply for Health, Safety, and Environment Associate at BasiGo (Kenya)

👨‍✈️ Become a Fleet Officer at MAX (Nigeria)

👷 Secure a role at Charge as a Civil Draughtsman (South Africa)

Various 

🏗️ China's Ningbo Gaofa Group to build automotive control systems plant in Morocco

🤝🏻 Grâce Mobility and Société Générale partner to boost consumer financing in Ivory Coast

🏍️ Read how electric motorcycles are transforming urban transport in Uganda

Seen on LinkedIn 

Tony Tiyou, CEO of Renewables in Africa, says, “Morocco's focus on carbon neutrality by 2050 makes it an exciting potential next chapter for Spiro's expansion. Sometimes the most impactful innovations come from deeply understanding local needs rather than importing global trends.”