Opinion: Kenya’s EV shift relies on solid infrastructure

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While fossil fuel stations have had over a century to build a reliable network, EVs are still held back by the limited number of charging stations, says BasiGo MD Moses Nderitu. For Kenya’s electric vehicle market to thrive, charging must be fast, affordable and widely accessible. However, high installation costs and challenges in securing land continue to slow progress.

• Mr Nderitu is a recognised leader in Kenya’s e-mobility space, with over a decade of experience in the transport sector. He is the Kenya Managing Director and Chief Revenue Officer at electric bus startup BasiGo. Previously, he was a director and regulatory advisor at ARC Ride. 

• To fast-track EV infrastructure, he proposes targeted policy reforms. Instead of depending on expensive grid upgrades, Mr Nderitu suggests the government allows EV users to install their own transformers while still benefiting from the low Electric Mobility tariff. 

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By Moses Nderitu

You’ve probably heard of the classic paradox: the chicken and the egg. Which came first? It’s a timeless question but one that perfectly illustrates the challenge facing Kenya’s electric mobility transition.

There is a hesitance to buy electric vehicles (EVs) without readily accessible charging infrastructure, yet investment often lags until there is sufficient demand for electric vehicles. According to the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya, 9,047 EVs are currently registered in the country, up from 2,694 in 2023 and 5,294 in 2024.

The figures reflect encouraging momentum in EV adoption. However, the number of charging stations remains modest, especially when compared to fossil fuel infrastructure that has benefitted from over a century of development.

That historical advantage has made fossil fuel stations a ubiquitous presence, giving confidence to manufacturers, customers, and institutions that fuel will be available at any time, anywhere. For Kenya’s EV market to thrive, it requires a similar foundation: access to reliable, affordable, and high-speed charging. Only then will EVs become an option for everyday consumers.

Kenya Power’s recent announcement to roll out 45 charging stations is a significant milestone. Made during the third Annual E-Mobility Stakeholders Conference and Expo in Nairobi, it signals a welcome shift: public utilities are stepping up as critical enablers of the EV ecosystem.

Further, the government, through the Treasury, has awarded contracts for the leasing of 3,000 EVs under its official vehicle leasing programme, an influx expected to further drive the expansion of charging infrastructure nationwide. At the same time, private sector players like BasiGo are scaling their charging stations alongside growing EV fleets. This dual approach, with public and private investment, is essential to creating a reliable national charging backbone.

Setbacks

However, deploying infrastructure at scale doesn’t come without challenges. Chief among them is the high upfront cost of infrastructure upgrades required to support new high-power loads, such as EV chargers, and securing suitable land for charging depots.

Leasing land is costly and requires extensive due diligence and negotiation. For many startups in the e-mobility space, purchasing land is not yet financially viable, even if it may be the smarter long-term strategy. However, start-ups are also partnering up with companies to install chargers in facilities such as malls and gas stations.

It is important to note that Kenya’s electricity is generated almost entirely from clean, renewable sources, with geothermal accounting for over 40 per cent of the supply. Yet this clean power is underutilised at night. This is where electric public service vehicles come in.

These vehicles primarily charge overnight, utilising the excess clean power. Not only does this boost grid use and reduce waste, but it also increases revenue for the utility without any additional investment in new generation capacity. With this in mind, the government has several ways to support the growth of e-mobility. A key area is addressing the high cost of infrastructure for charger installation.

Currently, the need for new conductors, transformers, fuses, and meters can make it prohibitively expensive to install chargers even in areas with high demand. An alternative would be for the government to revise the electricity tariff structure to allow customers to install their transformers and be metered at high voltage, while still benefiting from the Electric Mobility (EM) tariff. This approach could significantly reduce costs, shorten project timelines, and eliminate lengthy procurement processes.

Public charging stations

Kenya can also look to other African markets for inspiration. In Ghana, an African country with the highest number of electric vehicles, the government is developing its EV charging infrastructure through initiatives such as building public charging stations and collaborating with oil marketing companies to establish charging stations at locations such as malls and trade centres.

Similarly, China, a global leader in EV charging, has benefited from government policies and subsidies that have accelerated the expansion of charging stations, particularly in urban areas and along major transportation routes.

Key efforts include pilot projects that have expanded charging networks, partnerships with companies like Shell Ghana to install charging stations at petrol stations, and support for e-bike manufacturers and fleet operators.

Kenya has the building blocks for a thriving electric mobility sector: rising EV adoption, abundant clean energy, and increasing public and private investment. What’s needed now is smart policy, strategic partnerships, and bold infrastructure development to match the momentum.

This article was first published by The Daily Nation