The Africa EV Show

China's electric vehicle technology is increasingly finding its way into Africa through an unexpected route: locally built and adapted mobility. In this episode of The Africa EV Show, Njenga Hakeenah travels more than 500 kilometers with Samwel Kimani, founder of the Tumaini vocational center, to explore how Kenyan innovators are using Chinese EV components to build electric three-wheelers for farmers and rural logistics.  The e-trikes combine Chinese electric motors, controllers, batteries and other components with locally fabricated chassis and frames. But the story goes beyond importing Chinese technology. Kimani explains how local users helped design the vehicles around Kenya's rough terrain, cargo needs, battery range and operating costs. The project also highlights a bigger question for Africa's EV transition: Can Chinese EV technology become a foundation for African manufacturing, repair, skills development and battery circularity rather than simply another import dependency? From repurposed Chinese lithium batteries and battery swapping to local EV technician training, the discussion examines what it will take to make electric mobility work beyond Africa's major cities. The conversation also looks at why China has become such an important source of affordable EV components, the potential for Chinese companies to partner with African manufacturers, and whether Kenya can develop the technical skills needed to assemble, repair and eventually manufacture more electric vehicles locally.  In this interview: Chinese EV components being used in Kenyan e-trikes Local fabrication and co-design with farmers Repurposed Chinese lithium-ion batteries Battery swapping and charging at home EV range and cargo capacity in rural Kenya Local EV assembly and manufacturing Chinese-African partnerships in electric mobility Training the next generation of EV technicians Battery repurposing and circularity Electric mobility for agricultural logistics Kenya's role in Africa's emerging EV industry The debate over dependence on Chinese technology Watch the full conversation to see how Chinese EV technology is being adapted on the ground in Kenya, and what this could mean for the future of African electric mobility.

Kenya's electric vehicle market has changed significantly in the past two years, and Chinese EV technology, vehicles, batteries, diagnostics, and manufacturing capacity are playing a central role in that shift. In this interview, Alex Munene, CEO and founder of Advanced Mobility Kenya, speaks with Njenga Hakeenah about the rapid growth of e-mobility in Kenya, the expansion of Chinese EV brands, local assembly, battery swapping, skills transfer and the policies needed to build a sustainable electric mobility industry. A major focus is the transfer of technical skills. Kenyan engineers and technicians are increasingly being trained to maintain Chinese-made EVs, while institutions such as TVETs, NITA and private training providers are developing electric mobility curricula. Munene discusses training linked to Chinese battery technology, diagnostic equipment and the broader goal of making Kenya an exporter of EV skills. The interview also explores why EV adoption in Kenya is increasingly driven by economics rather than environmental concerns, particularly for high-mileage fleets and public transportation. Munene discusses operating-cost savings, charging infrastructure, vehicle affordability and why electric mobility may make less economic sense for some private motorists. In this interview: China's role in Kenya's EV transition Chinese EV technology and manufacturing Chinese investment in African e-mobility Bingo EV and battery swapping Chinese EV brands entering Kenya Local EV assembly in Kenya EV technician and engineering skills transfer TVET and e-mobility training Chinese battery and diagnostic technology EV fleet economics in Kenya Electric buses, taxis and commercial vehicles Kenya's e-mobility policy framework China's long-term industrial policy Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia's EV strategies The future of electric mobility in Africa Watch the full interview for a detailed look at how Chinese technology, capital and manufacturing capacity are reshaping Kenya's emerging electric vehicle industry  

In this episode of The Africa EV Show, Njenga Hakeenah speaks with Bernard Chiira, director and co-founder of Innovate Now, Africa's premier assistive technology accelerator, which focuses on driving the success of assistive technologies to enable mobility for people living with disabilities. While the conversation focuses on how electric mobility and Chinese EV technology could transform mobility in Africa, it goes beyond electric cars, buses and trucks to examine electric wheelchairs, scooters, mobility devices, batteries and the infrastructure needed to make transportation accessible to people with disabilities. Chiira explains why China's manufacturing scale, access to components and ability to produce affordable technologies are increasingly important to Africa's assistive technology sector. But the discussion also raises a bigger question: when will Africa move from importing Chinese technology to building and manufacturing its own? Chiira discusses local assembly, battery technology, recycling, repairability, standards, R&D and the possibility of creating African manufacturing hubs, while arguing that accessibility should be treated as an economic issue rather than simply a social protection concern. The interview also explores the financing gap facing African assistive-tech startups, the potential for Chinese manufacturing partnerships and why accessible EV infrastructure could benefit everyone and not just those living with disabilities.  

China is shaping the technology behind Africa's EV transition — but how can African companies build their own charging infrastructure around it? In this episode, we speak with Tony Gathecha, Managing Director of SupaChaja, a Nairobi-based EV charging company building a charging network designed for Kenya's growing electric vehicle market. SupaChaja began its journey in 2023 by developing a software platform that allows drivers to locate, use and pay for charging, before expanding into EV charging hardware and infrastructure. Much of that hardware comes from China, which dominates global EV and charging-equipment manufacturing. But the conversation goes beyond simply importing Chinese technology. We explore how SupaChaja is trying to adapt Chinese-made charging equipment to Kenyan needs, including M-Pesa payments, local connectivity, software interoperability and different EV charging standards. Topics discussed: China's role in global EV and charging-equipment manufacturing Why the majority of SupaChaja's charging hardware comes from China Chinese EV charging standards and the GBT ecosystem Whether EV charging could eventually move toward a universal connector Chinese technology, quality, safety and cost The challenge of moving from imported equipment to local assembly and manufacturing How Kenyan policy and taxation could encourage local EVSE production Why SupaChaja is focusing on passenger EVs rather than Kenya's much larger electric two-wheeler market  Kenya's special EV electricity tariff  Chinese investment and potential funding opportunities for African e-mobility The conversation also examines a bigger question: Does Africa have to choose between Chinese, European and American EV technologies, or can African markets develop their own standards and infrastructure around the technologies available to them?

China's electric vehicle industry is expanding rapidly across Africa, and Kenya has become one of the key markets where new business models are being tested before they take shape across the continent. In this episode of the Africa EV Show, we speak with Christian Scheder, co-founder of Bingo, about why the company is introducing the Bingo E2 electric vehicle with an ecosystem built specifically for ride-hailing drivers. Unlike many electric cars entering Kenya, the Bingo E2 combines U.S.-developed vehicle design with Chinese engineering, manufacturing, and supply chains. The discussion explores how China's EV expertise is being adapted for African markets through long-range batteries, battery swapping, connected vehicle software, financing partnerships, and data-driven fleet management. Christian explains why Bingo believes ride-hailing drivers—not private car owners—could become the biggest force behind electric vehicle adoption in Africa. He also discusses the company's plans to work with banks, insurers, charging providers, and local partners to help drivers reduce operating costs, improve access to financing, and eventually own their vehicles. The interview also examines how Chinese manufacturing capabilities, including production through Geely, could support future local vehicle assembly in Kenya and what that could mean for jobs, skills, and the country's growing EV industry. Topics Covered China's role in Kenya's growing EV market The Bingo E2 electric vehicle Chinese EV manufacturing and supply chains Ride-hailing and electric mobility in Africa Battery swapping and charging infrastructure Connected vehicle technology and fleet data Financing models for EV drivers Local vehicle assembly in Kenya Geely's manufacturing partnership The future of electric transportation across Africa

Africa's electric motorcycle revolution is accelerating—and commercial motorcycle riders are leading the transition. In this episode of The Africa EV Show, host Njenga Hakeenah speaks with Moses Musinguzi, Sales and Operations Manager at Zeno Uganda, who started his career as a boda boda rider before rising to manage electric motorcycle operations across East Africa. This conversation explores why electric motorcycles are growing faster than electric cars across Africa, how battery swapping is changing the economics of commercial transport, and why Chinese battery technology has become central to the continent's e-mobility ecosystem. Moses shares first-hand insights into what riders actually care about when switching from gasoline motorcycles to electric motorcycles, including operating costs, battery reliability, charging infrastructure, ownership models, maintenance costs, and daily earnings. The discussion also examines how Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), fast charging, battery swapping networks, and digital ride-hailing platforms are reshaping urban mobility in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and across Africa. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, fleet operator, entrepreneur, EV startup founder, researcher, or simply interested in the future of sustainable transportation, this interview offers practical insights from someone who has worked on both sides of the industry. In this episode • Why electric motorcycles are leading Africa's EV transition • How Chinese battery technology powers Africa's growing e-mobility market • The real economics of electric motorcycles versus gasoline motorcycles • Why battery swapping is becoming the preferred business model • How Battery-as-a-Service lowers the cost of EV ownership • Battery swapping vs. fast charging: what commercial riders actually prefer • How electric motorcycles increase rider profitability • The biggest misconceptions about electric motorcycles • Why word-of-mouth drives EV adoption faster than advertising • The differences between Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria's motorcycle markets • How ride-hailing platforms are accelerating electric motorcycle adoption • Why battery reliability matters more than battery size • The future of boda boda businesses in Africa • What makes a successful electric motorcycle entrepreneur • Lessons from managing thousands of commercial motorcycle riders   Join the Discussion: X: @ChinaGSProject | @Hakeenah Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social Follow CGSP in French and Spanish:  French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) technology is proving to be the easily available option for countries seeking to cushion their economies from expensive fuel imports, which have been exacerbated by the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran. While this has made lives more difficult, the upside is that, for many fuel-importing countries, it's been a silver lining, as they're now pivoting to electrons for their mobility. In Kenya, fuel prices are climbing, which is leading to increased logistics costs, pushing transport operators to seek alternatives that make financial sense. One solution attracting growing attention is electric trucking. In this episode, I sit down with John Msingo, the Kenya Vehicle Expansion Specialist at electric mobility company Kabisa, to explore one of the country's most talked-about electric trucks. We discuss why African mobility companies are partnering with Chinese manufacturers, the economics of operating an electric truck, charging infrastructure along the Nairobi-Mombasa corridor, maintenance costs, range, performance, and what the future of heavy-duty electric transport could look like in East Africa. Join the Discussion: X: @ChinaGSProject | @Hakeenah Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas Join us on Patreon! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Electric mobility is quietly transforming Africa's tourism sector and Kigali, Rwanda, is emerging as a leading case study. In this episode of The Africa EV Show, we speak with Edwidge Cyuzuzo, COO of Izuba EVs, about how her company is using Chinese electric vehicles to power a new model of green tourism. From dramatically lower operating costs to reduced dependence on imported fuel, EVs are reshaping how tour businesses operate in landlocked economies like Rwanda. We explore: Why EVs are more cost-effective than petrol vehicles in Rwanda How Chinese brands like BYD are enabling early adoption The real-world charging experience in Kigali Business models for EV tourism and fleet operations The role of partnerships in scaling electric mobility Key challenges include infrastructure and regional expansion With fuel prices volatile and logistics complex across Africa, electric vehicles offer a compelling alternative — not just for sustainability, but for economic resilience. Is this the future of tourism in Africa? Can EV adoption unlock broader industrial and energy transformation across the continent? Watch now to understand how electric mobility is moving from theory to reality in one of Africa's most forward-looking cities.  

A quiet energy revolution is unfolding in Lagos and it's happening inside a school. In this episode, we sit down with Bukola Oluwalade, Director of Abba's Heart Schools, to explore how one institution is rethinking energy, transport, and sustainability from the ground up. From fully solar-powered classrooms to electric school buses, this is a real-world case study of how Africa can leapfrog into a cleaner, more resilient future. As fuel prices rise and grid instability persists, Abba's Heart Schools made a bold move: eliminate diesel generators, cut fuel costs to zero on select routes, and power both campus and transport using solar energy. The result? Lower costs, cleaner air, quieter campuses, and greater energy independence. We break down the major issues in transitioning to renewable energy including: How solar power replaced unreliable grid electricity Why electric buses are transforming school transport economics The real costs and financing behind going off-grid Lessons for schools across Africa looking to transition How global oil shocks are accelerating the shift to clean energy This conversation goes beyond technology and looks at how changing mindsets, planning, and building resilient systems in a volatile world can offer greater autonomy and independence for African energy systems. If you're interested in Africa's energy transition, electric mobility, or practical sustainability solutions, this is a must-watch.  

Africa's electric mobility transition is not happening the way most headlines suggest. It's not just about importing new EVs — it's about converting existing vehicles, building local systems, and using data to make mobility work. In this episode of The Africa EV Show, Arnold Mwangakala, founder of Smart Haven Tanzania, breaks down how lessons from China's EV ecosystem, from supply chains to battery systems, can be adapted to not only Tanzania but African realities. We explore: Why EV conversion (motorcycles & three-wheelers) is leading adoption  How battery swapping is solving range and charging challenges  The role of IoT and data in financing and scaling EV businesses Lessons from China's manufacturing and supply chain dominance What it will take for Africa to build its own EV ecosystem  This is a must-watch for anyone interested in electric vehicles, Africa's energy transition, and the future of mobility. Also, subscribe, like, and share for more insights on Africa's EV and energy transition.