Kenya Signs Early US$3 Billion Electric Car Deal

Kenya has signed a memorandum for a US$3 billion electric vehicle project, though specifics such as site location, timeline, and financing remain undisclosed. The agreement was witnessed by President William Ruto alongside Endelevu Enterprise Corporation, a partner co-presented by China’s Geely. The project aims to assemble electric cars and motorcycles in Kenya, which imports most of its vehicles.

The plan includes building 50,000 four-wheel vehicles and 100,000 two-wheelers annually in two facilities. Additionally, it proposes 1,000 solar-powered charging hubs and a digital platform to manage up to 100,000 green vehicles. Officials anticipate creating about 2,000 direct jobs, over 20,000 indirect jobs, and up to 80,000 further roles in fleet services.

While Geely is named as a partner, its exact financial stake and role in the project have not been disclosed. Kenyan reports have not provided details about Endelevu’s registration, ownership, or past achievements. Geely, a Fortune Global 500 company with an annual revenue of about US$50 billion, controls Sweden’s Volvo Cars and is involved in the electric vehicle market in Africa, Latin America, and Asia due to US tariffs on its products.

Electric transport already has a presence in Nairobi, with start-ups like BasiGo and Roam operating electric buses and motorcycles. President Ruto highlighted the project as a strategy to reduce Kenya’s import bill, noting that the country has not refined crude oil since 2013 and relies on imported fuel for its vehicles. The memorandum positions Kenya and Geely within a broader competition between Chinese and Western carmakers, with Kenyan vehicles potentially eligible for regional trade under the East African Community.