The Financial Times explains that rising fuel prices and the Middle East energy crisis have accelerated electric vehicle adoption across Africa, especially for motorbikes, buses, and tuk-tuks, where operating costs are much lower than petrol alternatives. China is benefiting strongly from supplying most EV components and vehicles.
East Africa is leading the shift, with countries like Ethiopia and Rwanda restricting or banning internal combustion engine imports and others like Kenya reducing EV import duties. Start-ups such as Spiro are rapidly expanding EV fleets and battery-swapping networks, backed by significant new investment.
Despite challenges like high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure, the article concludes that EV adoption in Africa is accelerating quickly, driven by economics, policy changes, and improved access to Chinese-made technology.
