Kenya’s electric vehicle (EV) revolution is being sold as a double win greener transport and 100,000 new jobs. But beyond the headlines and government press statements, one question lingers: how real is this figure? As the country accelerates its EV transition, it’s time to separate policy promise from ground reality.
The Hype: 100K Jobs and a Green Future
Government officials and clean energy advocates have repeatedly floated the figure of 100,000 EV-related jobs in the next few years. The idea is attractive, positioning Kenya as Africa’s electric mobility hub, while fighting unemployment and reducing carbon emissions.
This projection is anchored in Kenya’s 2023 e-Mobility Policy, which envisions widespread adoption of electric motorcycles, buses, and light vehicles alongside local assembly and battery recycling industries.
But how close are we to this goal?
Reality Check Vs What Exists on the Ground
As of 2025, Kenya’s EV ecosystem is still in its early stages. Here’s what we know:
- BasiGo, which assembles electric buses in Nairobi, employs around 200–300 people, including engineers, drivers, and support staff.
- Roam (formerly Opibus), known for e-motorcycles and conversions, has about 150–250 employees and partners with local garages and technicians.
- Smaller players like Kiri EV, Caetano, and Drive Electric contribute another 500–1,000 jobs across imports, charging infrastructure, and sales.
In total, Kenya’s EV sector supports an estimated 2,000–3,000 direct and indirect jobs today far from the 100,000 mark.
The Logic Behind the Projection
So where does the 100K figure come from? It’s largely a policy projection, assuming several things go right:
- Establishment of local assembly plants for buses and motorcycles.
- A national charging network across counties.
- Government and public transport electrification, including matatus and boda-bodas.
- Integration of EV maintenance into TVET and university curricula.
If these systems materialize, the multiplier effect could indeed generate tens of thousands of jobs from assembly line technicians to charging station operators and EV software developers.
But without massive investment, demand, and export capacity, the number remains an ambitious forecast, not a baseline reality.
Regional Context Why It’s Still Credible
Kenya isn’t operating in isolation. Neighboring countries like Rwanda and Uganda have rolled out EV assembly incentives and training programs. Rwanda’s Ampersand, for example, has over 1,000 employees and plans to scale across East Africa.
If Kenya becomes the regional manufacturing and export hub, leveraging its stable grid and policy momentum, the 100K job mark by 2030 could be realistic though still optimistic.
What This Means
Kenya’s 100K EV jobs narrative isn’t false, it’s aspirational PR backed by potential, not yet performance. The green jobs revolution is coming, but it will depend on how quickly policy meets private capital.
For now, Kenya’s EV journey remains more promising than proof, a reminder that true sustainability requires not just clean tech, but economic follow-through.
Also read: How Kenya’s electric-vehicle boom could create 100,000 jobs by 2030
FAQs
- How many electric vehicles are there in Kenya?
As of 2025, Kenya has around 3,000–4,000 registered EVs, mostly motorcycles and buses in Nairobi and Mombasa. - How can someone get into the EV industry in Kenya?
By training in electrical engineering, battery maintenance, or green transport logistics through TVETs or university programs. - What is the electric vehicle industry growth rate?
The EV market in Kenya is growing by 25–30% annually, supported by tax incentives and growing investor interest. - What are the main EV companies in Kenya?
BasiGo, Roam, Kiri, Caetano, and Drive Electric are among the key local players. - Will the EV sector really create 100K jobs?
Potentially, yes but only if Kenya scales local assembly, training, and exports over the next five years.
