E-mobility companies across Africa are starting to assemble electric vans and taxis locally, relying on Chinese-made kits and flexible financing models to expand clean public transport on the continent. In Nigeria, Lagos-based Saglev has begun assembling 18-seater electric passenger vans using kits from Dongfeng Motor Corporation. The company plans annual production of up to 2,500 vehicles and aims to assemble 17 electric models for Nigeria and wider West Africa.
Saglev’s chief executive, Olu Falaye, said the project marks a turning point for mass electric transit in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. The firm is a joint venture between Nigeria’s Stallion Group and China’s Sokon Motor, and plans to roll out solar-powered charging stations to address unreliable grid power. A similar effort is underway in Kenya, where Chinese-backed Rideence Africa has signed a $2.46 million agreement with Associated Vehicle Assemblers to assemble electric taxis and minibuses locally. The kits will be supplied by China’s Jiangsu Joylong Automobile and Beijing Henrey Automobile Technology. AVA says the deal establishes Kenya’s first dedicated EV assembly line.
Nigeria and Kenya, two of Africa’s largest economies—are leading the local EV assembly drive as governments and operators seek to cut fuel costs, lower emissions and build domestic manufacturing capacity. Electric vans and minibuses are particularly important, as they dominate urban transport across Africa, where petrol-powered models such as the Toyota Hiace are widely used. Industry data shows EV charging typically costs about $3 for up to 200 kilometres, compared with more than $15 in petrol for the same distance. According to Electric Mobility Association of Kenya, falling costs from local assembly are making electric vans more attractive to transport operators.
Beyond Nigeria and Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa are also entering the market. Ethiopia’s Belayneh Kinde Group assembles about 150 electric minibuses a month using Chinese components. To overcome limited access to credit, companies are adopting pay-as-you-drive and lease-to-own models. Rideence leases electric taxis for about $18 a day, while BasiGo charges a deposit plus usage-based fees. Despite the momentum, EV adoption remains modest. The Africa Mobility Alliance estimates there are only about 30,000 electric vehicles on the continent, compared with millions of petrol and diesel vehicles. Africa produced just 1.1 million vehicles last year, with roughly 90% manufactured in Morocco and South Africa.
