The quiet rise of Chinese electric car assembly in Kenya

A Basigo electric bus is assembled at the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers plant in Thika.

Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group

Chinese-backed electric carmakers and their local partners have begun setting up assembly lines in Kenya, marking a quiet shift as they bet on local production and tax breaks to boost the competitiveness of battery-powered cars in a market dominated by imported used internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Kenya’s green mobility push has long been dominated by motorcycles and buses, with passenger cars largely sidelined by high upfront costs and limited incentives.

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