Major automaker relocates EV production to Africa

June 09, 2025

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In a rare shift, Netherlands-based automaker Stellantis is moving the production of the electric Citroën C4 from Europe to Africa. Stellantis plans to produce the electric version of the Citroën C4 in Morocco starting 2027. The company will, however, continue to assemble fuel models at its plant in Spain, where the electric and hybrid models are currently made.  

  • Stellantis has invested more than $340 million to upgrade its plant in Morocco in recent years to support new product lines. The factory currently produces Peugeot 208 II, Citroën Ami, Opel Rocks Electric, and Fiat Topolino. 

  • Shifting manufacturing from Europe to Africa is a major statement and will significantly increase Africa’s electric car production capacity. The Citroën C4, including its electric version, is a popular sedan which sells hundreds of thousands of units annually. 

  • Our take: Stellantis’s move signals a vote of confidence in Morocco's manufacturing capabilities for complex and high-volume EV production…  Read more (2 min)

BYD enters first market in Central Africa 

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has officially entered Gabon, its first market in Central Africa. The company is now in 16 African countries, the highest of any EV company. Loxea, a subsidiary of CFAO Mobility, will serve as BYD’s dealer in the Gabonese market. BYD has introduced three EV models in Gabon: the Atto 3, Song Plus DM-I and Tang.  

  • At the current rate of expansion, BYD could be in at least half of African countries in the next one year. BYD currently manufactures some of the cheapest electric cars in the world. 

  • BYD is also in Benin, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Rwanda, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion. 

  • Our take: BYD’s continued expansion into new markets suggests a belief in the long-term potential of the African EV market… Read more (2 min)

Egypt has seen the fastest increase in prices of electric vehicles over the past one month, according to data collected by Mobility Rising. The increase was mainly driven by rising demand. Prices in Kenya and Nigeria remained broadly stable, while South Africa recorded price EV volatility in certain segments like Volvo and Ultra scooters. 

  • Mobility Rising tracks data monthly in four major African EV markets: South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya. The pricing data focuses on three widely used electric cars and motorcycles in each market.

  • Egypt has become a magnet for EV companies in recent years as sales increase. However, currency fluctuations and inflation are impacting the business.

  • Our take: The increase in EV prices in Egypt will worsen affordability challenges for buyers… Read more (2 min)

Marjon Castelijns (third left), Founder of Climate Connection Africa, visits Ampersand offices in Rwanda

Events

🗓️ Book a slot at the Ghana Automotive Summit (June 17)

🗓️ Attend the Mobility Live event in South Africa (June 24)

🗓️ Register for Morocco Energy Week Summit & Exhibition (June 24)

Jobs

🎯 Join Spiro as a Marketing Manager (Rwanda)

💼 Become a Marketing Specialist at BYD (South Africa)

🏍 Manage fleet operations at MAX (Ghana)

Various 

👨🏻‍💼 Hilton Musk takes a new role as the head of E-Mobility at Rubicon, South Africa

🚘 Zambia advocates carmakers to build EV parts near copper mines

🚗 Volvo's EV sales grow with strong EX30 and EX90 demand in South Africa

Seen on LinkedIn 

Tom Courtright, Research Director at Africa E-Mobility Alliance, says, “Policies have generally been all-or-nothing, particularly in places like Uganda or Nigeria. But there's a third path, shown by Thailand and Indonesia, where we can improve compliance, reduce road safety incidents - and it relies on listening to riders and understanding what they deal with. “