Kenya’s electric vehicle (EV) sector is emerging as a major engine for job creation, with projections showinig that it could generate more than 100,000 employment opportunities over the next five years.
A new report by the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) has given an optimistic picture of the industry’s future, highlighting its potential to transform not just transport but the entire manufacturing and energy landscape.
According to the Emobility Sector Investment Prospectus, Kenya is positioning itself as a regional hub for electric mobility, backed by its high renewable energy capacity and progressive policy environment. The sector is expected to grow by 27 percent across Africa in the next 15 years, with Kenya leading the charge.
Jobs Across the Value Chain
The report estimates that the industry could create about 5,900 direct jobs and 10,300 indirect jobs, with an additional 83,000 induced jobs emerging from related activities.
In the short term, the charging and vehicle assembly segments are expected to absorb the majority of workers. However, as local manufacturing and component production expand, more skilled and higher-value positions are anticipated.
“The EV sector is projected to generate up to 100,000 jobs by 2030, depending on government incentives in place,” the report notes.
Kenya’s Renewable Advantage
Kenya’s clean energy credentials are among the strongest in Africa, giving the EV sector a unique advantage. Over 93 percent of the country’s electricity is generated from renewable sources — primarily geothermal, wind, hydro, and solar power.
Geothermal remains Kenya’s backbone, with 940 MW currently installed and an estimated potential of up to 10,000 MW along the Rift Valley Basin. Wind energy contributes 436 MW, solar adds 210 MW, and hydro remains dominant with 838 MW.
Government Backing and Private Sector Growth
The administration of President William Ruto has introduced a range of incentives to promote e-mobility, including tax breaks and reduced import duties for electric vehicles and charging equipment. These measures, the report says, are expected to significantly drive up EV demand over the next five years.
Local firms such as BasiGo and Roam have already taken the lead, introducing electric buses and motorcycles to Kenya’s roads and setting up charging infrastructure across major cities.
Globally, electric vehicles are expected to account for over 80 percent of all new vehicle sales by 2050, underscoring the importance of Kenya’s early investment in the sector.
With its blend of abundant renewable energy, strategic policy support, and growing technical expertise, Kenya appears well on its way to becoming East Africa’s e-mobility powerhouse—one where sustainability meets opportunity.
