Africa's electric vehicle market sees surge in Chinese imports and local investment

Africa is experiencing a bifurcated transition toward electric vehicles (EVs), characterized by a surge in Chinese imports in the north and localized industrial investment in the east and west. Imports of Chinese electric motorcycles and three-wheelers rose by 60% to $114.6 million in the first half of 2026, with Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria leading the demand for consumer-focused scooters.

In contrast, East and Central Africa are focusing on commercial ecosystems. Companies like Spiro, which raised over $348 million in the past year, are investing in local assembly plants, battery-swapping networks, and technical training. Spiro CEO Anant Badjatya emphasizes a strategy of localizing vehicle components and manufacturing to reduce fuel import dependency and create regional jobs through a model of vehicles “made in Africa, by Africans, for Africa.”

While North African markets primarily utilize imported Chinese mopeds for commuting, the sub-Saharan market is increasingly driven by commercial assets used for passenger and goods transport, prompting a shift toward specialized infrastructure and local manufacturing capabilities.