Chinese-supported electric vehicle manufacturers and their local partners have begun establishing assembly lines in Kenya, marking a quiet shift as they aim to enhance the competitiveness of battery-powered cars in the Kenyan market through local production and tax incentives. Currently, the market remains dominated by imported used internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. For years, Kenya's green mobility initiatives have primarily focused on motorcycles and buses, while private cars have been marginalized due to high upfront costs and limited incentives. This week, Redions Africa, a Chinese-owned dealer selling Xiaotian electric vehicles in Kenya since late 2023, announced plans to invest 320 million Kenyan shillings in electric vehicle assembly operations in Mombasa. The company has signed a cooperation agreement with AVA, one of Kenya's largest contract assemblers, and plans to produce electric hatchbacks using CKD kits provided by Beijing Henrui, while collaborating with Jiangsu Jilon, a Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer, to assemble 16-seat electric box vans. The first batch of 132 electric hatchbacks and 20 electric box vans is expected to roll off the production line by late February.
