Investing in Kenya’s e-mobility sector

Kenya is spearheading the electric vehicle revolution in Africa, despite facing challenges with power connectivity on the continent. The country has shown a strong commitment to transitioning from fossil fuel vehicles to electric vehicles, recognizing the numerous benefits it offers not only for the environment but also in terms of noise reduction and overall environmental friendliness. As part of its ambitious plan to boost access and charging stations, Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) is at the forefront of developing the necessary infrastructure to support this transition. The electric vehicle market in Kenya has been on a steady rise, with over 9,000 electric vehicles currently on the roads. The majority of these vehicles are two-wheelers, commonly known as border borders, with buses, taxis, and bicycles also contributing to the growing number of electric vehicles. The government's push towards transitioning to green energy aligns well with Kenya's position as one of the leading countries in the world in this regard. The global community has set a target to transition away from fossil fuels to low emissions and green alternatives by 2023, a goal that is gaining momentum globally. With more than 30% of all new vehicle sales being electric vehicles worldwide, Kenya aims to replicate this success within its borders. To support this transition, the government has introduced various incentives for electric vehicles through finance bills, while KPLC has implemented specific tariffs for charging, making it more affordable for Kenyans to adopt electric vehicles. Private sector institutions are also stepping up to support the growth of electric vehicles in Kenya by planning to set up EV charging stations. The government is actively encouraging investors to join this movement, with the aim of transforming traditional gas stations into EV charging facilities. Rwanda serves as a model for this transformation, repurposing gas stations into EV charging points, and Kenya is poised to follow suit in this eco-friendly direction.