Top 10: EV Manufacturers in the Middle East & Africa

Across the Middle East and Africa, electric vehicles from e-buses to e-tricycles are helping people on their journey, lowering levels of air pollution and creating green jobs. 

By 2030, it is expected that 50% of Africa's younger population will be living in urban areas, so there is a need to create affordable ways for them to commute to their schools and places of work. 

Meanwhile, the Middle East is roaring ahead to implement electric mobility and infrastructure. 

Here are our Top 10 EV manufacturers in the Middle East & Africa.

10. Kaypee Motors

Dodoma, Tanzania

Masoud Kipanya is an award-winning cartoonist, radio journalist, the owner of clothing company Kipanya Wear and now, an electric vehicle manufacturer.

The Kaypee Motor is Tanzania's first locally made electric vehicle, which is made from locally sourced materials and needs six hours of charging time, to drive 50km.

Masoud studied fine arts at a university, not engineering. 

"You don't have to be an engineer to build a car or a plane,” he said. “You need passion and skills in coordination. It is a matter of knowing what you want and how to get it." 

9. ONE MOTO Technologies

Dubai, UAE

ONE MOTO is an electric vehicle manufacturer which runs bases from Chile to the UK and Sri Lanka to Ethiopia, as well as the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq. In 2023, ONE MOTO Technologies secured US$40m in lease financing, to expedite the leasing of electric delivery vehicles.

“By promoting the adoption of electric vehicles, we contribute to the UAE's vision for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future,” said Adam Ridgway, CEO of ONE MOTO Technologies.

8. eBee

Nairobi, Kenya

eBee is a pan-African e-mobility company, with its hands in renewable energy and semiconductor manufacturing. The company was founded in 2021 in Kenya and is now operational Uganda and Rwanda.

Its electric bicycles are up to three times more affordable than petrol motorbikes, while charging them is ‘as easy as charging a phone’.

eBee’s vision is to lead the adoption of light-electric vehicles in Africa, with 1m e-bicycles on the road. Its mission is to create durable jobs and to economically empower people and businesses through affordable e-mobility.

7. eWAKA

Nairobi, Kenya

eWAKA is an electric mobility platform and manufacturer based in Kenya, which offers bikes and motorcycles for sale and rent. 

eWaka’s Shujaa e-bikes are manufactured in its Nairobi factory. They have two batteries, a total range of 120km and can carry up to 65kg. eWAKA’s focus is on electric vehicle longevity and peak performance is also backed by its detailed maintenance and repair services.

The aim is to contribute to the development of sustainable urban mobility in East Africa, with more environmentally-friendly means of transport that improve air quality in urban areas and are less costly for drivers.

6. Mobility for Africa 

Harare, Zimbabwe

Mobility for Africa is an electric mobility company that provides cargo-carrying e-tricycles and solar-powered battery charging solutions to communities across Zimbabwe. 

Through its technological expertise and manufacturing skills, Mobility for Africa produces low-cost quality renewable electric tricycles, bicycles and small scale vehicles for a rural environment. 

Previously, taxi driver Mtambo could only operate an ox-drawn cart.  

"Traditionally a woman's place has been at the mother seat," said Mtambo, referring to the passenger seat. "We were not expected to be in the commanding position. But we are now drivers: we are now steering the vehicle."

5. SPIRO 

Kenya, Togo, Benin & Rwanda

SPIRO ’s mission is to accelerate the access of affordable, clean energy technology in the mobility sector. SPIRO manufactures e-bikes and batteries, helping to unlock economic growth and sustainable development. SPIRO is focused on ‘Africa’s clean industrialisation through e-mobility technologies’. 

“We are constructing Africa’s most extensive EV green transportation solutions plan, with a 500-hectare factory in each country, in which we will manufacture 1000 Ebikes and 2000 batteries per day, employing 3000 people per year,” said a spokesman. “Our manufacturing units include Battery Management, Vehicle Control and Motor Control frameworks.”

4. Basigo

Kampala, Uganda

e-mobility start-up BasiGo aims to create clean, electric public transport throughout Africa. The team is made up of entrepreneurs who have spent years working in electric vehicle technology and renewable energy financing. 

Recently, CFAO Kenya entered into a partnership with BasiGo, in a move to advance the future of sustainable transport in Africa.

“Together, we're investing in electric buses, driving innovation, and paving the way towards carbon neutrality in Africa,” a CFAO Kenya spokesperson said. “Our joint investment in electric buses is not just a step towards greener cities but a commitment to shaping a cleaner, brighter future for the children of Africa.”

3. Roam 

Nairobi, Kenya

Roam offers electric motorcycles and electric buses, as well as top-tier charging infrastructure. Roam marks a new era of e-mobility and safer transport for Kenyans that use public transport solutions. 

“The solution Roam brings to the Kenyan market enables us to move people safely, comfortably and timely in both a sustainable and affordable way,” says Dennis Wakaba, Project Coordinator at Roam. 

Roam is opening ‘a new frontier, a new electric revolution’ by changing the way people move around the continent for a cleaner future. EV Magazine previously reported on Roam's electric buses. Read more here. 

2. SANDSTORM

Dubai, UAE

SANDSTORM is the leading automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer in the Middle East and the regional market leader in all 4x4 vehicle categories. Its mission is to ‘contribute to the UAE’s 4th Industrial Revolution’ and build a diversified and sustainable economy by producing the region’s first commercial and retail 4x4 vehicles.

The company has increased the localisation of its supplier base and partners, supporting the development of the local automotive industry supply chain, as it launches new electric vehicle models.

1. W Motors 

Dubai, UAE

W Motors is the first manufacturer of high-performance luxury sports cars in the Middle East. Founded in 2012 in Dubai, the company spans automotive design, technology and engineering, as well as consultancy and manufacturing.

At W Motors, Ons has proven success in RFQ phases, budget management and seamless project integration.

After so many entries from Dubai, we have to give a shoutout to Sustainability LIVE Dubai 2024, a free virtual conference which will take place in May. Sustainability LIVE Dubai serves as the ultimate virtual platform to network and connect with like-minded peers and established companies through-out Middle East & Africa. Learn more here. 

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