Kenya: Kenya is positioning itself as a leading electric mobility hub in Africa, backed by rapid growth in Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption, increased investment, and supportive government policies aimed at accelerating the transition to clean transport.
According to Kenya News Agency, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi emphasized at the Fourth E-Mobility Conference and Expo at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi that Kenya is uniquely placed to lead the transition due to its renewable energy resources, which account for more than 90 percent of the country’s electricity generation. Wandayi highlighted the establishment of a supportive framework through the National Electric Mobility Policy, which seeks to accelerate EV adoption, strengthen charging infrastructure, and support innovation in the sector.
Wandayi also noted President William Ruto’s declaration exempting the first 100,000 imported electric vehicles from duty as a key intervention aimed at reducing acquisition costs and attracting investment. The increased adoption of electric mobility is expected to reduce reliance on imported fuel, improve air quality, lower transport costs, and create employment opportunities while supporting the country’s green growth agenda.
Kenya Power Acting Managing Director David Syengo reported remarkable growth in the sector over the last three years, reflecting increasing consumer confidence and market expansion. Electricity consumption by electric vehicles rose from 13,500 kilowatt-hours in July 2023 to more than 1.5 million kilowatt-hours in April 2026. Monthly revenue from EV charging also increased from about Sh1 million to over Sh35 million during the same period. Cumulative electricity sales to the sector have surpassed 17 million kilowatt-hours, generating approximately Sh382 million in revenue. Syengo assured investors that Kenya’s electricity grid has sufficient capacity to support future demand and committed to continuing support through grid expansion and strategic charging infrastructure.
Electric Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK) Chairman Hezron Mose highlighted the significant expansion of Kenya’s EV market, with registrations rising from about 2,000 vehicles in 2023 to more than 40,000 currently. Mose attributed the growth to policy incentives, including tax measures and a dedicated electricity tariff for electric mobility. The sector has attracted approximately 191 million US dollars in investment, created over 1,000 direct jobs, and facilitated technical training for over 12,000 people. Mose emphasized that electric motorcycles, which account for the largest share of EVs in the country, are helping riders cut operating costs by 40 to 50 percent compared to conventional fuel-powered motorcycles.
Industry stakeholders projected that Kenya could have more than 377,000 electric vehicles on its roads by 2030 if supportive policies and infrastructure investments are fully implemented.
