Why an Indian firm builds EV plants in Africa

November 09, 2025

Dear subscriber,

Years ago, before Indian companies like Bajaj and TVS came to dominate the African petrol motorcycle market it was led by Chinese companies like Zongshen, Lifan and Haojiang. The Indians won over time due to their reliability. Could the script be reprised with EVs?

Brian Ambani – Editor

Indian EV manufacturer EKA Mobility is set to establish a manufacturing and assembly plant in Ghana. EKA is partnering with Japan’s Mitsui Corporation and local distributor Rana Motors to produce vehicles for West African markets. The facility will manufacture electric three wheelers, buses, and commercial vehicles for both domestic consumption and regional export.

  • This will be EKA’s second EV project in Africa. The firm last month made a deal with Ethiopian conglomerate Kerchanshe Trading to build an EV assembly plant in the country. Ethiopia will be EKA’s base as it seeks to serve East Africa. 

  • EKA joins a growing list of Indian companies entering Africa’s EV market. The others include Maruti Suzuki, Tata and Ashok Leyland, which have introduced their EVs in key markets like South Africa, Kenya and Mauritius. 

  • Our take: Political stability, infrastructure quality, and strategic access to neighbouring markets are key deciding factors for investment… Read more (2 min)

For many retirees, money is hard to come by. It means that cutting expenditure becomes an absolute necessity to deal with the change in the financial situation. Paul Kamanu saves money in two ways. Now retired, the former unit manager at Kenya’s largest tea company bought an EV to cut his fuel costs. He also uses solar to charge his EV, also cutting his power bills. 

  • The use of solar for EV charging is rapidly gaining momentum in Africa. It offers independence from unreliable electricity supply and can reduce charging costs by up to 60–70% over time compared to grid electricity or diesel-powered generators.  

  • Mr Kamanu began his EV journey by first purchasing a plug-in hybrid. The cost savings he made from the switch encouraged him to switch to full EVs to realise more savings. 

  • Read the full story here… (2 min)

Rwandan EV startup Kabisa is expanding into Kenya, East Africa’s largest market, to grow sales. But the company is facing new costs and challenges, not least since Kenya is a right-hand drive market, while Rwandans motor on the left, says Marumbo Sichinga, Kabisa’s East Africa EV Expansion Lead in an interview with Mobility Rising.

  • Mr Sichinga has led business development at Kabisa for nearly three years, driving the company’s growth across East Africa. He brings extensive experience in sales technology, IoT solutions, and network mapping. 

  • Kabisa plans to adjust its pricing strategy and vehicle selection to deal with the realities of the Kenyan market, which does not enjoy the same level of tax benefits as Rwanda. 

  • Click here to read the full interview…(2 min)

Members of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers conclude their visit in Ghana (Source: African Association of Automotive Manufacturers)

Jobs

👨🏻‍💼 Become a Chief Technology Officer at Mazi Mobility (Kenya)

🎯 Apply for Spiro’s Quality Engineer role (Rwanda)

👩🏻‍💻 Join MAX as an Inventory Officer (Nigeria)

Events

📅 Attend for Auto Equip in Nigeria (Nov 11)

📅 Register for the Africa Energy Expo 2025 (Nov 25)

📅 Join industry think tanks at Kenya’s Public Transport Summit (Nov 26)

Various 

🤑 Angolan mobility startup Anda raises $3.5 M

🚘 Check the prices of the new Zeker 001 electric car in Egypt

🚗 Cars that Volvo will launch in South Africa next year

Seen on LinkedIn 

Eric Parry, Senior Manager of Sustainable Solutions at Volvo Trucks South Africa, says, “South Africa’s current import duty structure applies the same percentage to all heavy commercial trucks—whether they are powered by diesel or electricity. At first glance, this appears equitable: 12% for trucks sourced from the EU, and 20% for those from other regions.”