Op-ed: Unlocking Africa's potential in electric mobility

From the newsletter

Africa has a chance to lead in electric mobility, but its progress depends on addressing cultural perceptions, infrastructure gaps, and policy support. Omondi Isaiah, Head of Operations at Biliti Electric Kenya, argues that while EVs promise cleaner cities and new income streams, adoption faces resistance rooted in limited local capacity.

• Africa is one of the fastest growing EV markets, but it must invest in homegrown solutions tailored to local needs. The continent hosts dozens of electric mobility startups that are thriving, proving that the industry can deliver impact and create jobs.

• Drawing from his years in EV operations, including past experience at Arc Ride, Mr Omondi emphasises that community buy-in and local innovation are key to ensuring the EV transition is not imported, but owned by Africa.

More details

By Omondi Isaiah

Electric mobility is gaining traction across Africa, offering a transformative opportunity to address environmental and economic challenges. The transition promises cleaner cities, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and improved income opportunities for individuals and businesses. However, the path to widespread adoption faces multifaceted challenges, shaped by cultural perceptions and infrastructural realities.

In many African communities, emerging technologies are often perceived as foreign or externally imposed, evoking resistance linked to a broader sense of colonial legacy. This mindset stems from historical dependencies on imported solutions that sometimes fail to address local needs effectively. As a result, electric mobility is viewed with skepticism, further complicated by its association with advanced economies rather than homegrown innovation. Here’s how Africa can actively shape and own this transition while overcoming obstacles:

Developing Local Solutions

African innovation is already making strides in the EV sector. Local manufacturing of EVs requires significant upfront investment in technology, facilities, and skilled labor. Many African economies struggle with accessing affordable financing to develop production capacity, making reliance on imported components a necessity. This reliance often drives up costs, rendering EVs less competitive compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. 

The lack of charging infrastructure is a critical obstacle. While some regions are exploring innovative battery-swapping solutions and solar-powered charging stations, these systems are still in their infancy. Rural areas face additional hurdles, as grid reliability remains low, complicating the deployment of consistent and scalable charging networks

Some Startups have therefore initiated locally designed electric motorcycles and battery-swapping infrastructure tailored for boda boda (motorcycle taxi) drivers. These vehicles offer a cost-effective solution for commercial use, with a total cost of ownership 25% lower than internal combustion engines (ICE) over five years.

These initiatives are being introduced in rural setups, such as Mobility for Africa, which integrates battery-swapping systems and off-grid charging for three-wheelers. This model addresses rural transport inefficiencies to create opportunities for local job creation and skill development.

Scaling Infrastructure

Infrastructure gaps remain a key barrier to widespread EV adoption. Investments in decentralizing charging networks, such as solar-powered mini-grids are Critical. Scaling infrastructure for EVs in Africa faces many challenges that reflect the continent’s unique economic, social, and environmental landscape. Many African countries experience unreliable electricity supply, with frequent outages and low grid penetration in rural areas. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to electricity. Without consistent and widespread power, deploying charging infrastructure becomes impractical, particularly in off-grid regions.

Policy and Financial Incentives

Governments must champion EVs through supportive policies, including subsidies, tax breaks, and public-private partnerships. South Africa and Rwanda, for example, have integrated EVs into their climate action plans. Rwanda aims to mobilize $900 million for EV infrastructure, highlighting the need for sustained financing to ensure feasibility and scalability.

Community Engagement

Cultural perceptions of EVs as foreign technologies can be addressed by promoting local success stories and aligning EV adoption with community needs. Pilot projects in Kenya and Uganda demonstrate that when users experience the economic benefits of EVs—such as lower operating costs and increased income—they are more likely to adopt the technology.

Training and Capacity Building

The lack of technical skills to maintain and operate EVs hinders adoption. Building local expertise through vocational training and partnerships with universities and technical institutions can accelerate the development of a robust EV ecosystem.

Therefore, Africa's active participation in the electric mobility revolution requires leveraging local resources, engaging communities, and fostering innovation. By investing in homegrown solutions, infrastructure, and policy support, the continent can adopt EVs and lead in sustainable mobility.

The article was first published at E-Trikes for Africa