The Middle Kingdom and the Cradle of Humankind have forged increasingly strong economic ties over the past several years. Electric mobility is no exception and plays an ever-growing role in these relations. Let’s focus on the latest Chinese establishments across the African continent, from Morocco to South Africa, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Egypt, and Kenya.
The ideal partner
Before diving into specifics, it’s essential to understand why Africa is an ideal partner for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) companies.
First, Africa presents an effective solution to the financial barriers imposed by Europe and the United States, particularly regarding tariffs and penalties. Africa is not engaged in a trade war with China; on the contrary, it offers a more open market.
Moreover, Africa is rich in essential resources. Of particular interest to Chinese investors in electric mobility are minerals like cobalt, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo being the world’s leading producer.
Additionally, low manufacturing costs, affordable labour, tax incentives, and a vast, relatively young population—the demographic most inclined to adopt electric vehicles—make Africa a highly attractive market for EV and battery manufacturers.
Establishing operations in Africa offers numerous advantages to Chinese companies, further bolstered by the continent’s industrial powers, emerging markets, and countries with strategic locations.
Industrial Powers
When setting up factories, companies naturally gravitate towards countries with proven industrial capabilities, and Africa has several.
Anyone who has visited Tangier can attest to the scale and modernity of its infrastructure. « The Pearl of the North » exemplifies the broader Moroccan landscape, which already hosts production facilities for companies like Stellantis and Renault, collectively producing approximately 700,000 vehicles annually.
For Chinese investors, this ensures access to a skilled workforce and substantial industrial expertise. It’s no coincidence that companies such as Hailiang, Shinzoom, Gotion High Tech, BTR, and CGNR—spanning copper processing to battery manufacturing—have invested nearly a billion dollars in various manufacturing sites within the newly established Tangier Tech industrial hub.
Furthermore, Morocco’s favourable relations with the European Union and the United States (for now) provide additional reassurance to Chinese investors.
In North Africa, Egypt is also attracting Chinese companies. For instance, BAIC Group plans to inaugurate a 120,000-square-meter assembly plant by late 2025, initially producing 20,000 vehicles annually, with plans to scale up to 50,000 by 2030. This facility aims to first saturate the Egyptian market, then leverage Egypt’s strategic location to penetrate other African and Middle Eastern markets.
On the other hand, Nigeria appears to be retreating from Chinese investments. In late 2023, the government announced that several Chinese companies intended to invest $2 billion in various factories across the country. Since then, there have been no updates.
Instead, Nigeria seems to be turning to Spiro, a Kenyan manufacturer of electric two-wheelers, to advance its transition to cleaner mobility, exemplified by the opening of a factory in Ogun State.
Promising Markets
This shift doesn’t imply that China has lost interest in Nigeria. On the contrary, Nigeria remains one of the continent’s most promising markets, driven by a young, urban population with a higher purchasing power than many other African nations.
Notably, Nigeria was among the first African countries to receive Chinese Yutong electric buses through a partnership with Lagos-based Oando Clean Energy.
South Africa, the largest automotive market in sub-Saharan Africa, is another attractive destination for Chinese investors. BYD, for instance, is aggressively launching new models in the region. South African distributor Enviro Automotive has begun selling Chinese models, quickly followed by competitors, all vying for a significant share of a market that, while still modest, is steadily growing.
Rwanda has distinguished itself as one of the first African nations to embrace electric mobility, supported by a government that early on invested in public subsidies, facilitated charging station rentals, and electrified public transport. These initiatives have attracted Chinese manufacturers and groups, leading to collaborations with Kabisa, a pioneer in Rwanda’s electric vehicle distribution, and contributions to Kigali’s public transport networks.
Ivory Coast is also increasingly attracting Chinese investors. Without necessarily relying on bonuses or incentives, the Ivorian government regularly holds discussions with the Chinese government as well as with the country’s largest companies to facilitate the introduction of electric vehicles in the Ivory Coast.
Recently, ride-hailing drivers in Abidjan have started equipping themselves with vehicles from the Chinese manufacturer Neta, while fellow Chinese automaker BYD has begun marketing its models in the country. Chinese investors are also contributing through the development of a charging station network and have even provided electric buses to help organize the Africa Cup of Nations in early 2024.
Raw Materials and Strategic Hubs
Beyond Morocco’s industrial expertise and South Africa’s promising market, other countries are drawing Chinese investors due to their strategic geographic positions.
As previously mentioned, Egypt serves as a gateway to both African and Middle Eastern markets. Similarly, Kenya has become an inspiration for neighbouring countries, sourcing vehicles from Chinese manufacturer Neta Auto to green its taxi fleet. This positions Chinese companies advantageously to persuade other major cities to trust their offerings.
On the raw materials front, the Democratic Republic of the Congo stands out as the world’s leading supplier of cobalt—a crucial component in battery manufacturing—and a significant source of copper. China has strategically positioned itself as the primary client of Congolese mines, purchasing over three-quarters of the nation’s production. While many of these mines are still owned by Western groups, Chinese shareholders are increasingly prominent.
The substantial influx of Chinese electric vehicle companies into Africa follows an unrelenting business logic, suggesting a central role for the continent in this market, especially given its youthful population.
However, a critical question persists whenever foreign funds flow into Africa: Will African nations retain sovereignty over their resource management and labour conditions?