The Africa EV Show

China's electric vehicle technology is increasingly finding its way into Africa through an unexpected route: locally built and adapted mobility. In this episode of The Africa EV Show, Njenga Hakeenah travels more than 500 kilometers with Samwel Kimani, founder of the Tumaini vocational center, to explore how Kenyan innovators are using Chinese EV components to build electric three-wheelers for farmers and rural logistics.  The e-trikes combine Chinese electric motors, controllers, batteries and other components with locally fabricated chassis and frames. But the story goes beyond importing Chinese technology. Kimani explains how local users helped design the vehicles around Kenya's rough terrain, cargo needs, battery range and operating costs. The project also highlights a bigger question for Africa's EV transition: Can Chinese EV technology become a foundation for African manufacturing, repair, skills development and battery circularity rather than simply another import dependency? From repurposed Chinese lithium batteries and battery swapping to local EV technician training, the discussion examines what it will take to make electric mobility work beyond Africa's major cities. The conversation also looks at why China has become such an important source of affordable EV components, the potential for Chinese companies to partner with African manufacturers, and whether Kenya can develop the technical skills needed to assemble, repair and eventually manufacture more electric vehicles locally.  In this interview: Chinese EV components being used in Kenyan e-trikes Local fabrication and co-design with farmers Repurposed Chinese lithium-ion batteries Battery swapping and charging at home EV range and cargo capacity in rural Kenya Local EV assembly and manufacturing Chinese-African partnerships in electric mobility Training the next generation of EV technicians Battery repurposing and circularity Electric mobility for agricultural logistics Kenya's role in Africa's emerging EV industry The debate over dependence on Chinese technology Watch the full conversation to see how Chinese EV technology is being adapted on the ground in Kenya, and what this could mean for the future of African electric mobility.

Kenya's electric vehicle market has changed significantly in the past two years, and Chinese EV technology, vehicles, batteries, diagnostics, and manufacturing capacity are playing a central role in that shift. In this interview, Alex Munene, CEO and founder of Advanced Mobility Kenya, speaks with Njenga Hakeenah about the rapid growth of e-mobility in Kenya, the expansion of Chinese EV brands, local assembly, battery swapping, skills transfer and the policies needed to build a sustainable electric mobility industry. A major focus is the transfer of technical skills. Kenyan engineers and technicians are increasingly being trained to maintain Chinese-made EVs, while institutions such as TVETs, NITA and private training providers are developing electric mobility curricula. Munene discusses training linked to Chinese battery technology, diagnostic equipment and the broader goal of making Kenya an exporter of EV skills. The interview also explores why EV adoption in Kenya is increasingly driven by economics rather than environmental concerns, particularly for high-mileage fleets and public transportation. Munene discusses operating-cost savings, charging infrastructure, vehicle affordability and why electric mobility may make less economic sense for some private motorists. In this interview: China's role in Kenya's EV transition Chinese EV technology and manufacturing Chinese investment in African e-mobility Bingo EV and battery swapping Chinese EV brands entering Kenya Local EV assembly in Kenya EV technician and engineering skills transfer TVET and e-mobility training Chinese battery and diagnostic technology EV fleet economics in Kenya Electric buses, taxis and commercial vehicles Kenya's e-mobility policy framework China's long-term industrial policy Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia's EV strategies The future of electric mobility in Africa Watch the full interview for a detailed look at how Chinese technology, capital and manufacturing capacity are reshaping Kenya's emerging electric vehicle industry  

In this episode of The Africa EV Show, Njenga Hakeenah speaks with Bernard Chiira, director and co-founder of Innovate Now, Africa's premier assistive technology accelerator, which focuses on driving the success of assistive technologies to enable mobility for people living with disabilities. While the conversation focuses on how electric mobility and Chinese EV technology could transform mobility in Africa, it goes beyond electric cars, buses and trucks to examine electric wheelchairs, scooters, mobility devices, batteries and the infrastructure needed to make transportation accessible to people with disabilities. Chiira explains why China's manufacturing scale, access to components and ability to produce affordable technologies are increasingly important to Africa's assistive technology sector. But the discussion also raises a bigger question: when will Africa move from importing Chinese technology to building and manufacturing its own? Chiira discusses local assembly, battery technology, recycling, repairability, standards, R&D and the possibility of creating African manufacturing hubs, while arguing that accessibility should be treated as an economic issue rather than simply a social protection concern. The interview also explores the financing gap facing African assistive-tech startups, the potential for Chinese manufacturing partnerships and why accessible EV infrastructure could benefit everyone and not just those living with disabilities.  

China is shaping the technology behind Africa's EV transition — but how can African companies build their own charging infrastructure around it? In this episode, we speak with Tony Gathecha, Managing Director of SupaChaja, a Nairobi-based EV charging company building a charging network designed for Kenya's growing electric vehicle market. SupaChaja began its journey in 2023 by developing a software platform that allows drivers to locate, use and pay for charging, before expanding into EV charging hardware and infrastructure. Much of that hardware comes from China, which dominates global EV and charging-equipment manufacturing. But the conversation goes beyond simply importing Chinese technology. We explore how SupaChaja is trying to adapt Chinese-made charging equipment to Kenyan needs, including M-Pesa payments, local connectivity, software interoperability and different EV charging standards. Topics discussed: China's role in global EV and charging-equipment manufacturing Why the majority of SupaChaja's charging hardware comes from China Chinese EV charging standards and the GBT ecosystem Whether EV charging could eventually move toward a universal connector Chinese technology, quality, safety and cost The challenge of moving from imported equipment to local assembly and manufacturing How Kenyan policy and taxation could encourage local EVSE production Why SupaChaja is focusing on passenger EVs rather than Kenya's much larger electric two-wheeler market  Kenya's special EV electricity tariff  Chinese investment and potential funding opportunities for African e-mobility The conversation also examines a bigger question: Does Africa have to choose between Chinese, European and American EV technologies, or can African markets develop their own standards and infrastructure around the technologies available to them?

China's electric vehicle industry is expanding rapidly across Africa, and Kenya has become one of the key markets where new business models are being tested before they take shape across the continent. In this episode of the Africa EV Show, we speak with Christian Scheder, co-founder of Bingo, about why the company is introducing the Bingo E2 electric vehicle with an ecosystem built specifically for ride-hailing drivers. Unlike many electric cars entering Kenya, the Bingo E2 combines U.S.-developed vehicle design with Chinese engineering, manufacturing, and supply chains. The discussion explores how China's EV expertise is being adapted for African markets through long-range batteries, battery swapping, connected vehicle software, financing partnerships, and data-driven fleet management. Christian explains why Bingo believes ride-hailing drivers—not private car owners—could become the biggest force behind electric vehicle adoption in Africa. He also discusses the company's plans to work with banks, insurers, charging providers, and local partners to help drivers reduce operating costs, improve access to financing, and eventually own their vehicles. The interview also examines how Chinese manufacturing capabilities, including production through Geely, could support future local vehicle assembly in Kenya and what that could mean for jobs, skills, and the country's growing EV industry. Topics Covered China's role in Kenya's growing EV market The Bingo E2 electric vehicle Chinese EV manufacturing and supply chains Ride-hailing and electric mobility in Africa Battery swapping and charging infrastructure Connected vehicle technology and fleet data Financing models for EV drivers Local vehicle assembly in Kenya Geely's manufacturing partnership The future of electric transportation across Africa