Kenyan EV Firms Push Rural Expansion at Africa Forward Summit

Kenyan electric mobility companies are using the ongoing Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi to pursue investor partnerships tied to charging infrastructure, vehicle financing and local manufacturing as firms accelerate expansion into rural transport markets.

The two-day summit, co-hosted by William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron, has drawn African leaders, financiers and business executives for discussions focused on infrastructure, industrial growth, energy systems and technology investment.

Among the companies seeking new partnerships is Teketeke, which says it is targeting at least Sh1 billion in fresh capital to scale solar-powered charging systems, battery infrastructure and assembly operations for electric motorcycles and three-wheelers.

The company says growth opportunities are increasingly emerging outside major urban centres where fuel distribution remains inconsistent and transport costs continue to strain small businesses, riders and agricultural operators.

Director Richard Chesebeh said the company is positioning locally assembled electric transport as a lower-cost operating model for both commercial riders and rural enterprises.

“We want to demonstrate that Kenya has the technical capability to build sustainable e-mobility solutions locally.”

Kenya’s electric mobility market continues to face a major financing challenge despite growing investor interest in low-emission transport systems. Industry estimates indicate that roughly $8.9 billion would be needed to significantly increase electric motorcycle adoption, while current funding levels remain far below that threshold.

Operators in the sector say limited capital has slowed rollout of charging stations, battery-swapping systems and consumer financing programs that remain critical for wider adoption among boda boda riders.

Teketeke assembles electric motorcycles and tuk-tuks at its facility along Nairobi’s Mombasa Road corridor and says it is increasingly focusing on commercial transport users operating beyond large towns. The company has rolled out electric three-wheelers targeting dairy transport businesses, waste collection operators and small-scale traders in counties including Bungoma County, Trans-Nzoia County, Nandi County and Narok County.

The company says its motorcycles can travel up to 150 km on a single charge, while some electric three-wheelers can cover as much as 250 km before recharging. Charging times average under three hours using standard household electricity connections and solar-supported systems.

Teketeke is also working with local manufacturers to produce charging cabinets and battery systems domestically as firms in the sector attempt to reduce dependence on imported components and expand local industrial capacity.

According to Chesebeh, Kenya has nearly 2 million boda boda riders, yet electric motorcycles still account for fewer than 30,000 units currently operating nationwide.

The company says it supports about 450 direct and indirect jobs across assembly, logistics, distribution and supplier operations.

Industry operators are also lobbying for regulatory changes that would allow licensed firms to convert petrol-powered motorcycles into electric units under a clearer approval framework. Companies argue existing procedures continue to slow local conversion projects and increase operating costs.

The summit discussions come as African governments and investors increase focus on transport electrification, battery infrastructure and locally assembled mobility systems as part of wider efforts to reduce fuel dependence and strengthen domestic manufacturing.

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