Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) industry is set to grow rapidly after the recent COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The summit has become an important meeting point for people in the electric mobility Africa sector, as many African countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Africa, are moving toward e-mobility.

However, the industry still faces challenges, particularly in securing the investment it needs to grow.

Many leaders in the EV industry Africa are looking to COP29 to help provide the push needed to overcome these barriers.

One of the key figures driving this change is Prince Mustapha Audu, CEO of Nigeria’s Electric Motor Vehicle Company.

His company has sold around 10,000 electric vehicles this year alone. Audu, a frequent attendee of COP events, pointed out that while these gatherings create excitement and spark discussions about the future of electric mobility Africa, the real challenge lies in turning those conversations into practical actions by governments.

He stressed the need for greater government support, including building EV infrastructure and setting clear goals for replacing polluting vehicles.

The International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers reported that Africa’s vehicle population surpassed 60 million in 2020.

While this has created economic opportunities, it has also increased carbon emissions and worsened air quality.

The transport sector alone accounted for 43% of Africa’s CO2 emissions in 2022.

With countries required to update their climate plans by February 2025, transitioning to electric transportation could significantly reduce future emission levels.

At COP29, experts suggested prioritizing the electrification of public transport—such as buses and motorcycle taxis—as a practical way to cut emissions without requiring a widespread network of charging stations.

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Electric vehicles like motorcycle taxis and buses are already visible on the streets of African cities, from Cape Town to Kigali.

Researchers estimate that the EV industry Africa could be worth over $21 billion by 2027, almost double the $12 billion it was valued at in 2021.

Governments across Africa are supporting this growth by offering incentives such as tax breaks and subsidies to attract EV companies.

For example, Rwanda has implemented policies including import tax exemptions for electric vehicles and providing land for charging stations.

Innovative African EV startups are also making strides, offering affordable EV options and financing solutions.

In Kenya, Jump Energy is providing affordable electric motorcycle rentals, while South Africa’s uYilo focuses on building EV charging infrastructure.

Despite these promising developments, challenges remain. Limited charging infrastructure, high import costs for EVs, unreliable electricity, insufficient government policies, and low consumer awareness continue to hinder faster adoption. However, the biggest barrier remains access to financing.

With growing interest from governments and investors, there is a real opportunity to reduce emissions and improve air quality through electric mobility Africa.

Electrifying public transport offers a practical way to meet sustainability goals while creating new economic opportunities across the continent.

As stakeholders collaborate to overcome these challenges and implement supportive policies, Africa has the potential to lead the global movement toward electric vehicles and sustainable transportation solutions, aligning with the momentum generated at COP29 electric vehicles discussions.