But there are some signs of progress. I just finished a story about the economic case: a recent study nature energy Found that by 2040, EVs ranging from scooters to minibuses could be cheaper than gas-powered vehicles in Africa.
If there’s one thing to know about EVs in Africa, it’s that each of the continent’s 54 countries faces vastly different needs, challenges and circumstances. There are many reasons to be optimistic about the prospects for EVs in the near future, including developing policies, a growing grid, and expanding local manufacturing.
Even the world’s major EV markets are lagging behind Ethiopia’s aggressive pro-EV policies. In 2024, the country becomes the world’s first ban imports of non-electric personal vehicles.
The matter is largely economic: gasoline is expensive there, and the country has commissioned Africa largest hydroelectric dam In September 2025, a new source of affordable and abundant clean electricity will be provided. The approximately $5 billion project has a capacity of five gigawatts, doubling the peak power of the grid in the country.
Most of Ethiopia’s vehicle market is for used cars, and some drivers are still choosing older gas-powered vehicles. But this suggestion could help grow the market for EVs there.
Other African countries are also pushing some drivers toward electrification. rwanda New registrations banned Last year, EVs were promoted as an alternative to commercial gas-powered motorbikes in the capital Kigali. These motorbike taxis can make up more than half the vehicles on city roads, so the move is a major turning point for transportation there.
Small two-wheelers and three-wheelers are a bright spot for EVs globally: in 2025, EVs will account for about 45% of new sales of such vehicles. (For cars and trucks, the share was about 25%.)
