Africa on the Move : Between digitalization of transport and electrification of mobility

In Lagos, Kigali, Nairobi, and Cairo, electric vehicles are beginning to replace combustion engines in the African urban landscape. This shift, still nascent a few years ago, is accelerating today, driven by the climate emergency, soaring fuel prices, and technological advancements. Africa, still a marginal player in the global electromobility market, is entering the race.

Africa rethinks its roads with green digitalization

In African metropolises, traffic is often chaotic, public transport underdeveloped, and CO₂ emissions on the rise. Yet, innovative solutions are emerging. Thanks to the convergence of digitalization and electrification, the continent is undergoing a major transformation of its transport systems. This movement is driven by agile startups, proactive public policies, and an increasingly favorable ecosystem for sustainable mobility.

According to the World Bank, over 60% of Africans will live in urban areas by 2050. This urban growth calls for urgent responses to prevent city gridlock. On one hand, the digitalization of services allows for better flow management, fraud reduction, and increased transparency. On the other, electric mobility reduces air pollution and dependence on imported fossil fuels, which heavily burden national trade balances.

According to a report published in 2024 by the International Energy Agency (IEA), less than 0.5% of vehicles in circulation in Africa are electric. But the potential is immense: the continent will have over 170 million additional urban inhabitants by 2030, generating strong demand for sustainable transport solutions. By 2040, more than 25 million vehicles are expected to be put into circulation in Africa, according to the African Agency for Sustainable Electrification (AASE), with a growing share being electric if policies align.

African pioneers in action

Several African players have entered the fray. In Kenya, BasiGo has deployed over 100 electric buses in Nairobi, aiming to introduce 1,000 by 2026. In Rwanda, the company Spiro (formerly M Auto) has already put more than 1,500 electric motorcycles on the roads in Kigali and Kampala, with a planned fleet of 10,000 units within two years. Nigeria is focusing on local production, with Siltech and Jet Motors developing electric buses assembled in Lagos.

« Transitioning to electric vehicles is not just about the environment; it’s an economic opportunity for millions of Africans, » says Adetayo Bamiduro, co-founder of Max.ng, a Nigerian electric transport startup.

The ambitions are also industrial. In South Africa, the firm Optimal Energy is working on developing the Joule, the first electric car designed locally. Even though the project has faced difficulties, it has paved the way for a regional production dynamic.

The green transition is a lever to create jobs, improve air quality, and reduce the energy bill of our cities

Many governments are now integrating green vehicles into their national plans. Rwanda is banning the registration of new gasoline motorcycles starting January 2025. Kenya, for its part, has removed import duties on electric motorcycles and vehicles and plans to electrify 5% of its vehicle fleet by 2030.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) supports this transition. In 2024, it allocated over $150 million to sustainable mobility projects, notably in Kigali, Accra, and Abidjan. « The green transition is a lever to create jobs, improve air quality, and reduce the energy bill of our cities, » emphasizes Akinwumi Adesina, president of the AfDB.

Many obstacles remain: high vehicle costs, limited availability of charging infrastructure, unstable power grids, and lack of financing

Despite this momentum, many obstacles remain: high vehicle costs, limited availability of charging infrastructure, unstable power grids, and lack of financing for small operators. An electric motorcycle costs on average $1,500, two to three times more than a used combustion motorcycle.

Access to financing remains crucial. In 2023, only 0.2% of global funding for electric mobility was directed towards Africa, according to BloombergNEF. Experts advocate for the creation of innovative regional financing mechanisms, including leasing, targeted subsidies, and public-private partnerships.

Possible synergies for sustainable mobility

Meanwhile, the intersection of digitalization and electrification paves the way for hybrid solutions: digital management of electric fleets, geolocation, predictive maintenance, connected energy management… Without the implementation of smart grids capable of efficiently managing vehicle charging, the rise of electric mobility could face the current limitations of electrical infrastructures.

The issue of smart grids becomes central. They not only stabilize the energy demand related to transport but also enable mobility policies based on data. In Kigali, the city hall has already begun this transition by connecting electric buses to intelligent urban management tools.

The development of electric mobility is not just an ecological issue: it is also an industrial and strategic opportunity. Africa holds over 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves, essential for battery manufacturing, and significant deposits of lithium and manganese.

« The growth of the battery and electric vehicle market is estimated at $8.8 trillion by 2025 and $46 trillion by 2050… we cannot miss this opportunity; we must act quickly to capture this market, » declared Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, during a conference on the development of the battery value chain in Africa.

Africa is still far from the electrification levels of Asia or Europe. But the continent has the advantage of arriving later, with the possibility of skipping steps and adopting solutions adapted to its realities. From Lagos to Kigali, a new generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and citizens is engaging in this transition. The future of African mobility may be electric — and it is already underway on African roads…