“Amazon for EVs” is motoring ahead

From the newsletter

EV24.Africa, a dedicated online EV marketplace, has completed its first batch of sales to 10 African countries since launching in March 2025. Despite receiving over 350 orders from clients in more than 30 countries, delivery has been delayed due to supply chain challenges. The platform offers a wide selection of EVs from 50 global manufacturers. 

• Demand for electric vehicles is rising across the continent, but physical dealerships for new and used EVs remain scarce. The limited on-the-ground supply slows adoption, especially outside major urban centres.

• Africa’s EV market remains nascent — and while platforms like EV24.Africa offer easier access, awareness and financing remain key barriers to scale. 

More details

• EV24.Africa supplies both new and certified pre-owned electric vehicles to individuals, businesses, NGOs, ride-hailing drivers, and governments across Africa. The platform is designed to serve a wide range of customers in different sectors.

• There is especially high demand from South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to their sales. These countries are among the emerging key early markets for EV adoption.

• The marketplace features over 200 electric vehicle models from more than 50 international manufacturers. It also provides support for buyers and handles logistics across borders.

• EV24.Africa has built a strong delivery network that operates through more than 20 African ports. The company is part of Auto24.Africa, which also deals in the buying and selling of used cars across the region.

• “Backed by Stellantis and built with a lean, digital-first approach, we are uniquely positioned to scale EV adoption across the continent and make sustainable transport a reality for all,” says Axel Peyriere, co-founder and CEO of Auto24.Africa.

• Platforms like Electrified in Egypt and EV.Africa in South Africa are great for comparing prices, models, and features across multiple EV brands. However, even in countries with growing EV adoption, there are still very few dedicated platforms for selling electric vehicles. This makes it harder for buyers to access trusted options in one place.

• While most Africans traditionally prefer visiting showrooms and car yards, improved technology and mobile access are shifting buying habits online. Trust in digital transactions is growing, especially among younger, urban populations. Still, concerns around fraud and quality remain, especially for high-value purchases like EVs.

• This presents a unique opportunity for investors to support platforms that enable secure, cross-border EV sales. By backing trusted digital marketplaces with escrow support, they can accelerate EV adoption while capturing early value in a growing sector.

Our take

• Different countries apply their own VAT, import taxes, and excise duties, which means the same EV can have very different prices depending on the destination. This creates confusion for buyers and complicates price transparency across the continent.

• As EV adoption grows in key markets, more platforms are likely to emerge to meet local demand. Countries like Ethiopia and Morocco, with growing policy support and interest in clean transport, could soon see dedicated EV marketplaces.

• Escrow accounts can play a crucial role in building trust in Africa’s online EV market. They protect buyers from scams by holding funds until the vehicle is verified and delivered. This approach gives both buyers and sellers confidence to transact securely across borders.