The growth of the Electric Vehicles market in Africa has been top-notch, setting some countries forward in innovation and investment. Bob Eco’s annual review of the EV market’s growth shows increasing potential in for all types of electric vehicles on the continent. The demand for EVs is projected to expand as many countries in the continent are getting EV technology awareness. Due to growing environmental awareness and Africa’s need to realize its “economies’ greener objectives.” The use of EVs in Africa has progressively increased over the years, with nations such as Uganda, Kenya, Congo (DRC), South Africa, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Senegal set for such rapid expansion and development by 2030 or even before. Currently, according to Bob Eco’s estimates, the Africa EVs market value exceeds USD 12.5 billion, and this is predicted to reach USD 35 billion by 2030.
Not only electric motorcycles, but also electric cars and busses are on the rise, with Kenya seeing a massive increment in EVs, with the first Electric Busses operational in Nairobi. The government has taken initiatives such as tax breaks for EV owners. The government of Kenya has also led a campaign to educate its citizens on the essentials of EVs.
In addition, Congo DRC has invested heavily in EV technology, with the government introducing tax breaks and subsidies to encourage the adoption of Electric Vehicles. With countries’ rich minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and nickel, among others, it is determined to produce batteries locally for electric vehicles. The country is focused on increasing its electricity production in Busanga and Mpiana Mwanga power stations and improving its infrastructure to succeed in its bid for electric vehicles.
With the country having an environmentally friendly green energy source such as biomass, solar, and hydraulics, Ivory Coats’s economy has proliferated by 7% over the past ten years. Auto24 has sped the adoption of Electric Vehicles to local consumers since January 2023. It will do this through the first selection of used electric cars, such as the Kia e-Soul, Kia e-Niro, and Hyundai Kona. The first public charging station for electric vehicles (EVs) has been installed in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, by EV. Tech is a company specializing in EV charging and management. Auto24 has decided to deal with used cars to boost customer confidence in purchasing.
Nigeria unveiled its Electric Vehicle in June 2021, “the Hyundai Kona by Stallion Motors.” The first charging station was unveiled in April at “Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto State, North-West.” This was a huge milestone as the country is also focused on cutting carbon emissions; thus, EVs are undoubtedly the solution (Accelerating Electric Mobility in Nigeria, n.d.). According to “The International Energy Agency (IEA),” the stock will reach about 145 million by 2030, approximately 7% of the new and used registered cars in that specific year.
Senegal procured 121 Electric buses in October 2022 for the Bus Rapid Transit in Dakar. For ease of charging these EVs, the Chinese manufacturer CRRC installed 23 charging stations in the 14 municipalities in Dakar. The buses were to serve 14 councils in the 23 stops benefitting almost three hundred passengers daily. This effort was towards modernizing Dakar’s urban mobility and transport network by 2025 (Hampel, n.d.).
In a nutshell, the Electric Vehicle market has proliferated in Africa, with various countries at the forefront of innovation and investment in EV technology. With a growing focus on climate change, adopting Electric Vehicles has been an undoubted remedy to safeguard the environment, as many countries are objectively “going green” energy sources. African governments are focused on subsidizing and giving incentives to encourage Electric Vehicle adoption.
Laila Azzahra is a professional writer and blogger that loves to write about technology, business, entertainment, science, and health.