How China is Driving EV Adoption in Africa

Chinese EV technology is now being used across many African countries, with partnerships and collaboration becoming a common factor propelling the application of this knowledge across the continent.
These partnerships are helping address issues not only related to the provision of EVs but also challenges like a lack of adequate charging infrastructure, low or no manufacturing capacity, expensive power, and a lack of government incentives. Still, many African innovators have found it easier to partner with their Chinese counterparts to make the EV transition a reality.
In addition, a number of African countries, like Zimbabwe, have been pushing plans and policies to start refining some of the critical minerals they produce, like lithium, which is a critical component of EV batteries.
These plans indirectly lay the foundation for other aspects like battery manufacturing, which would enhance the role of these African countries in the EV value chains. Countries like Nigeria have already made pronouncements on such plans and even signed agreements with Chinese companies to start building manufacturing plants.
Ethiopia has the largest EV fleet on the continent, and Kenya remains the hub that is providing the environment to test out Fully Built Units (FBUs), Semi Knocked Down (SKD), or Completely Knocked Down (CKD) vehicles.
With this much activity in the EV space across the continent, we caught up with Dennis Wakaba, who has worked in Kenya’s EV space for over a decade, having started building his interest in 2008, to give us insights on some of the electric vehicle progress we’re seeing across Africa.
As a consultant, he has a bird's-eye view of everything happening and he is reachable on [e-mail] or [e-mail] or Whatsapp- [phone].
Join us on this very exciting episode that will leave you more knowledgeable about the African EV space starting in Nairobi, Kenya.

[@chinaglobalsouth]

Find out more about this here - chinaglobalsouth.com/analysis/africas-ev-adoption-accelerates-with-chinese-partnerships/

[@kishaniramsey5913]

I was in Kenya during July and was duly impressed that EV buses were being used for its public transport. This adoption is even faster than Asean countries.

[@Hakeenah]

That's an interesting perspective. I thought that ASEAN countries would adopt Chinese tech much faster due to proximity and affordability. This means that they can learn a thing or two from African countries.

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

​​@@Hakeenah Japanese company has a strong brand in Southeast Asia. With factories all over Southeast Asia.
With a well-established supply. And high import costs for and lower labor costs from China. Japanese brand cars can compete on price with Chinese EVs.
In fact, Chinese companies must first build factories in Southeast Asian countries in order to capture this market from Japan.

[@joethao2161]

Wow... let's go Africa!!!

[@Hakeenah]

Kabisa!

[@tkam9]

Battery swap is the way to go. Only take less than 3 minutes and also no battery degradation. NIO is the luxury Chinese EV company that does that efficiently. NIO is already selling in Europe and Middle East. Hopefully in time they will sell in Africa. Next year NIO will launch the lower price mass market brand called Firefly which will be the export model. Hopefully Africa will get the benefit to drive this affordable model in the price range of USD$15K to $25K.

[@Hakeenah]

Thnaks for the heads up on NIO! BYD just launched in Kenya last week and apart from what is happening with local assembly, more Chinese brands are setting up shop locally which will definitely increase competition. The problem with importing to Kenya for instance is that taxation almost doubles the vehicle prices which leads to them being priced beyond what the masses can afford. This remains a challenge for many people.

[@MikePutin-cb8lb]

Chinese EVS vehicles will completely sale good in Africa..

[@Hakeenah]

They already are. The only problem is the taxation in the different countries like Kenya where the costs more than double when it's added up.

[@karolmsaki9855]

Nice explanation br, this technology Africa will grab it, since Uganda are already having

[@Hakeenah]

Looking forward to visiting Uganda soon to see what's up in the EV sector.

[@aliyap4580]

The actual world in Africa and Asia is still lagging behind, particularly in the Philippines, which has imported war attitudes. 😁

[@Hakeenah]

Then there are some lessons they can learn from #Kenya and other African countries like #Rwanda.

[@chuekaothao6329]

It'll be nice for Africa and China to set standardization in many area all across africa to facilitate ease of use and efficiency between one African country to another African country.

[@Hakeenah]

Absolutely. It's interesting that standardization varies between member countries even in regions like the EAC or SADC. Once these countries come together, they'll become unstoppable.

[@davidmoyowambuya6733]

United Africa 2034, this was one of the inspiring videos I've watched this year thank you very much Denise for your time ,let's go Africa

[@Hakeenah]

A United Africa remains elusive but the e-mobility players are doing revolutionary stuff despite the limitations. Thriving under these circumstances shows you the potential and I think we'll get there at some point.

[@keshi5541]

United Africa won't happen

[@cannonfodder4376]

A fantastic interview, guys.

[@Hakeenah]

Thank you so much Cannon!

[@teedee6176]

This should be interesting. You have to jump through hoops just to charge a smartphone in most of those countries. And *Fire Service* infrastructure? Fill up buckets and form a human chain.

[@Hakeenah]

Which countres are you talking about?

[@drew_km]

i dont agree with the notion of lack of charging infrastructure. most homes in Africa have parking and home charging is easy unlike in these developed countries where there is very limited home charging thus the need of large public charging infrastrure.

[@Hakeenah]

Most of the Chinese EVs come with a charger to use at home in addition to the fast chargers which are mostly commercial. Vehicle owners are charging theirs at home and also to increase capacity, they're installing solar systems to supplement the expensive grid electricity. Some of the lessons from Africa to the rest of the world @drew_km.

[@samtat5873]

Oh pls don't look down African by now ok.
If they allow the Chinese EV in Africa which most African their house doesn't have charging for it.