Rideence Africa Limited, in collaboration with Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA), has announced a KES 320 million investment to launch a dedicated Electric Vehicle (EV) assembly line in Mombasa.
By the end of February 2026, the facility is slated to assemble 152 electric vehicles via Completely Knocked Down (CKD) kits. This initial phase includes 132 units of the Henrey taxi model and 20 Joylong electric high-roof matatus.
The shift toward local manufacturing follows the proven success of Rideence’s leasing model. Over the last three years, the company has deployed 180 fully built EVs imported from China, comprising 54 matatus and 128 taxis, establishing East Africa’s largest electric ride-hailing fleet.
Utilizing a driver-first leasing structure, Rideence provides Henrey EVs for KES 2,400 daily. The model capitalizes on the efficiency of electric drivetrains; a KES 400 charge covers 200 km, effectively displacing the KES 2,000+ fuel overhead typically associated with traditional petrol-powered taxis.
“Having already invested over KES 1.4 billion in Kenya since 2023, Rideence is strategically transitioning from operator to local manufacturer,” said Minnan Yu, Managing Director of Rideence Africa Limited. “Our vision is to become a leading new energy mobility enterprise, ‘Born in Kenya, Serving Africa.’ Our partnership with the AVA factory will push local parts procurement to over 25% by 2026. We are moving beyond importing solutions to co-creating them locally.”
Rideence is set to scale its workforce through its partnership with AVA, a leader in regional vehicle assembly. Having already secured approximately 680 direct jobs since 2023, the latest investment is expected to support 3,000 new direct and indirect positions. This growth is driven by a “multiplier effect” extending from the factory floor into infrastructure, maintenance, and supply chain services.
To localize production, the company is providing technical training at its service centers and is in substantive discussions with the University of Nairobi to launch dedicated EV technology programs. A structured integration plan aims to source 15–25% of components locally in the short term, with a long-term vision of reaching 40–60%.
To sustain this growth, Rideence plans to expand Kenya’s charging infrastructure from its current 16 stations to 100 stations by the end of 2026.
“AVA is proud to partner with Rideence as we launch the first fully local assembly of electric vehicles, a milestone for the country,” said Matt Lloyd, Managing Director of AVA. “This partnership delivers Kenya’s first dedicated electric vehicle assembly line, demonstrating that the country has the capacity to assemble EVs at scale. We are accelerating the transition to affordable, low-emission transport while enabling technology transfer and strengthening Kenya’s industrial base.”
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