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- Kenya’s big strides saw it power to the top of Africa’s ranking in the Mobility Rising Index
Kenya’s big strides saw it power to the top of Africa’s ranking in the Mobility Rising Index
 | The number of electric vehicles in Kenya rose by 41% to hit 5,294 units by the end of 2024, up from 3,753 in 2023, latest statistics released by the Kenyan government on Thursday show. This includes two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers. The growth cements Kenya’s position as one of the fastest growing EV markets in Africa. |
Kenya has witnessed a rapid growth in EVs in recent years, mainly driven by the introduction of a special electric mobility tariff and a reduction in excise duty on electric vehicles from 20% to 10%. The East African country has also exempted fully electric cars from value-added tax, and has seen a quick expansion of its charging infrastructure.
This growth is expected to grow further as the cost of EVs, especially motorcycles, continues to drop. At the same time, the expected entry of cheaper electric cars such as the BYD Seagull is expected to drive demand.
Our take: Kenya’s grid is not ready to support a significant increase in demand for electricity, especially from EVs. The country has resorted to power cuts due to inadequate generation, which could strike fear into potential EV buyers… Read more (2 min)
 | Spotlighting a specific consumer, we this week feature John Karanja, an electric motorcycle owner based in Nairobi, Kenya. After 11 years of riding a petrol-powered motorcycle, he decided to switch to an electric one over a year ago. He spends about $1.55 daily to charge, which saves $4.70 daily, making it a significant addition to his earnings. |
Weatherproofing and battery durability remain key design challenges for electric two-wheelers, he says, particularly in regions prone to heavy rains, where reliability issues can severely disrupt a rider’s ability to work and earn consistently.
Meanwhile, growing access to flexible financing options in Kenya is driving adoption, making it easier for riders like John to embrace cleaner, more cost-effective transport while comfortably repaying the investment through their daily fares.
To read more about our discussion with Mr Karanja, click here (2 min)
 | Our jobs round up features 28 new open roles advertised in the past three weeks. Most roles are concentrated in West Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, with MAX and Kofa leading the recruitment. East Africa follows, primarily in Kenya, showing strong presence of BasiGo, Roam and M-KOPA. Other regions (South and North Africa) have fewer vacancies. |
MAX is heavily investing in roles tied to fleet refurbishment, setup, quality control, and training, indicating aggressive growth or scale-up of their fleet-based services in multiple Nigerian cities.
M-Kopa (Ghana/Nigeria) and Watu Credit (Kenya) are hiring sales reps with EV knowledge, reflecting a new niche of sales teams who understand battery life cycle, charging costs, and EV financing models.
To explore exciting job opportunities waiting for you… Read more (2 min)
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Takealot staff shows electric scooters ready for deliveries in South Africa
Events
🗓️ Explore the latest technologies at the Afrifueling Expo in Kenya (May 6)
🗓️ Register for E-Mobility and Infrastructure Africa Summit happening in Kenya(May 21)
🗓️ Book your ticket for the West Africa Automotive Show hosted in Nigeria (May 13)
Various
🧏♂️ Listen to Kiira Motors Corporation CEO Paul Musasizi interview on in Uganda
🚗 Kabisa opens an EV showroom in Kiyovu, Rwanda
🤝 Green Riders, E²Rides and Process Containment Solutions join hands to drive sustainability in SA
Seen on LinkedIn
Ivone Ferreira da Silva, says, “The transition to electric delivery vehicles in South Africa presents both opportunities and challenges…A hybrid approach, combining electric and diesel vehicles, has been suggested as a more feasible solution for now.”
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