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Africa is pushing for electric vans made from Chinese EV kits, with Nigeria and Kenya at the forefront.
E-mobility companies across Africa are accelerating efforts to locally assemble electric vans and taxis, using imported kits from China and innovative financing models to promote clean and affordable public transportation.
In Nigeria, the Lagos-based company Saglev has begun assembling 18-seater electric passenger vans using kits supplied by China’s Dongfeng Motor Corporation. The company aims to produce up to 2,500 vehicles annually and eventually assemble 17 electric models for local and regional markets. Saglev’s CEO, Olu Falaye, described the initiative as a major milestone in Nigeria’s shift toward sustainable transportation.
Saglev operates as a joint venture between Nigeria’s Stallion Group and China’s Sokon Motor. In addition to vehicle assembly, the company plans to install solar-powered charging stations to improve access to reliable energy, addressing one of the key barriers to electric vehicle adoption in the region.
Similar developments are underway in Kenya, where Rideence Africa has partnered with Associated Vehicle Assemblers to locally assemble electric taxis and minibuses. These vehicles are built from kits supplied by Jiangsu Joylong Automobile and Beijing Henrey Automobile Technology. The partnership marks Kenya’s first dedicated electric vehicle assembly line.
Public transport in Africa has traditionally relied on Japanese models such as those produced by Toyota and Nissan. However, electric alternatives are gaining ground due to lower operating costs. Charging an EV typically costs around $3 for 200 kilometers, compared with more than $15 in fuel expenses for conventional vehicles.
According to the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya, local assembly has significantly reduced vehicle prices, making electric vans more attractive to transport operators. Kenya is now one of Africa’s most active EV markets, alongside Ethiopia and South Africa.
To improve affordability, companies such as Rideence and BasiGo offer pay-as-you-drive and lease-to-own schemes. These models allow drivers to avoid large upfront payments and instead pay through daily or distance-based fees.
Despite this progress, electric vehicles remain limited across the continent. The Africa Mobility Alliance estimates that Africa currently has about 30,000 EVs, compared with millions of fuel-powered vehicles. Most vehicle manufacturing remains concentrated in Morocco and South Africa.
Nevertheless, experts believe that local assembly and flexible financing will continue to expand electric mobility, helping African countries reduce emissions, cut fuel costs, and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
Posted on : 02 Mar,2026 | News Source : ABNews
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