Africa’s fastest growing electric car market revealed

From the newsletter

The number of electric cars imported by Burkina Faso from China grew 60 times in 2024 compared to the previous year, the fastest of any country in Africa. The West African country imported 120 electric cars from China last year, a major jump from just two vehicles in 2023, according to official data from the Chinese government analysed by Mobility Rising.      

• China produces 70% of the world’s EVs and is the main supplier of electric cars to Africa. In 2024, the continent purchased 19,386 EVs from the Asian country, an increase of 166% compared to 7,287 units in 2023. 

• While the imports by Burkina Faso are still tiny compared to those made by larger African markets, the sharp growth highlights the demand for electric cars in the West African country, which in January launched its own supposedly locally-made electric car (more likely a Chinese clone). 

• Our take: Given China's dominant position as the main supplier and producer of EVs, African countries count on partnerships beyond just importing vehicles… Read more (2 min)

More details

• Electric car imports by Tunisia from China grew 23 times, the second fastest rate. The country bought 371 units in 2024 compared to just 16 in the previous year. The increase comes even as the Tunisian government is actively promoting EV adoption through tax cuts and purchase incentives, including a $3,200 bonus for consumers switching to EVs.

• Zimbabwe has also recorded a major growth in its electric car imports from the world’s largest EV market, bringing in 44 units compared to just 3 in 2023, the third fastest growth. The Zimbabwean government has been making moves to increase EV sales, including reducing the import duty from 40% to 25%.

• Senegal and Zambia closed the top five positions, with their electric car imports jumping ten times to 161 and nine times to 71 units respectively. Meanwhile, Ethiopia, which put a total ban on non-fuel electric vehicle imports in January 2024, saw its electric car imports from China grow more than eight times to 1,971.

• On the flip side, some countries have fallen behind in the EV race. War-ravaged Sudan did not import any electric car from China in 2024, a sudden about-turn from nearly a dozen units it imported in 2023. Somalia, which imported 133 electric cars from the Asian giant in 2023, cut its imports by 98% to just three, while imports by Sierra Leone reduced by 85% to just ten.

• Similarly, electric car imports by Liberia reduced by 83% to 11 units, while Seychelles and Reunion cut their imports from China by 81% and 74% respectively. This highlights the topsy-turvy nature of Africa’s EV market, which is in its nascent stage.

• In terms of volume, Djibouti is the biggest importer of electric cars from China in Africa despite its tiny size. The small East African nation imported 7,636 EVs, contributing 39.3% of EVs brought to Africa, more than double of any other country. It was followed by Egypt, which imported 3,317 units during the year. 

• Overall, EV sales in Africa are expected to grow further this year in tandem with the global growth trajectory. The number of EVs sold globally hit a record 17 million in 2024, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The Agency predicts sales to hit more than 20 million this year, mainly driven by price wars by global producers and a decline in battery prices.  

Our take

• The significant growth in EV imports in countries like Burkina Faso, Tunisia and Zimbabwe are supported by government initiatives such as tax cuts, purchase bonuses, and reduced import duties. This strongly suggests that continued and expanded policy support is crucial for accelerating EV adoption across Africa.

• For the rapid increase in EV numbers to be sustainable, especially in countries seeing sharp rises like Burkina Faso, a concerted effort is needed to build out a robust and accessible charging network. This includes both public and private charging solutions, potentially exploring renewable energy sources for these stations.

• Africa cannot afford to leave some countries behind in the ongoing transition to EVs. The declines in EV imports in countries like Sudan, Somalia, and Sierra Leone underscore the need for targeted interventions to understand and address the specific barriers in these markets.