If there was any remaining doubt that Kenya’s transport sector is undergoing a quiet, electric revolution, the packed halls of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on the 4th and 5th of June put them firmly to rest.
The 4th Annual E-Mobility Stakeholder’s Conference and Expo 2026 brought together policymakers, private sector pioneers, and transport operators under a timely theme: “Aligning Policy, Infrastructure Development and Partnerships to Scale E-Mobility in Kenya.” Hosted by Kenya Power (KPLC) alongside key partners GIZ, the E-Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK), and NaMATA, the landmark event evaluated exactly how green transit is moving from a small-scale pilot phase into the everyday transport network.
To build public excitement, the conference was preceded by a series of Kenya Power-led EV parades across key transport corridors, culminating in an impressive 43-kilometre convoy through Nairobi. Featuring electric buses, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, tuk-tuks, and passenger vehicles, the parade dynamically showcased the diversity and growing adoption of electric mobility solutions across the country.
Opening the conference, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Energy, Opiyo Wandayi, delivered a powerful reminder of Kenya’s structural advantage in this global shift. An impressive 90% of Kenya’s electricity generation is derived from renewable energy sources. “Electric mobility is no longer a future concept; it is transforming our roads through motorcycles, buses, and commercial fleets,” stated CS Wandayi. He emphasized that because of a green grid, every electric vehicle (EV) charged in Kenya is powered by some of the cleanest electricity points in the world.
To sustain this momentum, the government has launched the National Electric Mobility Policy, creating a clear framework to accelerate EV adoption. This policy support was further supercharged by intentional political backing, following the executive declaration on 22 May 2026 that the first 100,000 electric vehicles imported to Kenya—whether for public service or private use—will be entirely duty-free.
The Numbers Behind the Surge
The industry data presented at the expo painted a picture of exponential growth. Kenya’s EV sub-sector has firmly cemented the country’s position as a regional leader in clean transport.
- Surging Registration: Total registered EVs in Kenya reached a massive 33,800 vehicles, marking an aggressive leap from a mere 2,695 total recorded in 2023.
- Two-Wheeler Dominance: Electric motorcycles and e-bikes command the vast majority of the ecosystem, accounting for 93.6% of all registered EVs.
- Energy Consumption Boost: Power demand from EVs climbed rapidly from 13,500 kWh in 2023 to over 1.5 million kWh by mid-2026, with total grid consumption hitting 9.1 GWh since 2025.
- Economic Footprint: The e-mobility sector has directly generated 1,067 local jobs and contributed $15.9 million in taxes.
- 2030 Projections: The sector is on track to scale to more than 370,000 registered EVs by 2030.
This commercial viability is reflected in utility balance sheets as well. Kenya Power has recorded KSh 382 million in cumulative e-mobility revenue over the past 34 months, with Nairobi alone accounting for 71% of that uptake.
Infrastructure Planning & Grid Readiness
Addressing long-term sustainability, Kenya Power reaffirmed its capability to handle early-stage load growth. The national power provider noted that EV consumption currently comprises a manageable fraction—just 0.1%—of Kenya’s baseline 8–10% demand growth.
However, to proactively curb localized grid congestion, strategic investments are being actively channeled into last-mile infrastructure. Kenya Power is deploying dedicated public charging stations along heavy-freight pathways, including the Mombasa Highway, alongside key regional corridors serving Machakos and Kisumu. This targeted rollout ensures the network expands in step with commuter and fleet demands.
Activating the Nairobi Space Framework
The need for supportive infrastructure featured prominently in the discussions. Nairobi City County CEC Member for Mobility and Works, Hon. Ibrahim Nyangoya, reaffirmed the county’s commitment to expanding EV charging infrastructure across Nairobi through a presentation on the Nairobi County EV Public Space Charging Infrastructure Framework.
This comprehensive strategic document outlines a roadmap leveraging two core pillars:
- Activating County Hubs: Focuses on installing battery-swapping infrastructure at high-traffic public locations like bus termini to directly support mass transit operators.
- Zoning & Building Codes: Mandates a minimum of 5% EV-ready parking spots and supportive electrical infrastructure in all new private developments.
These initiatives aim to create a highly visible, accessible charging network while ensuring long-term integration into the city’s-built environment.
Building the User Experience: NaMATA Takes Lead
As an authority dedicated to establishing a seamless, integrated public transport system within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, NaMATA convened a crucial panel titled “User experience: Building it together.”The dialogue brought together practical sector leaders to share real-world insights:
- Oscar Rosana, CEO & Chairman of Metro Trans
- Geoffrey Kamau, Director of OMA Services Ltd
- Maarten Fonteijn, Managing Director of eBee Africa
- Kevin Mubadi, Chairperson of the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK)
The panel strongly advocated for rapid e-mobility integration, noting that electric buses offer far superior efficiency, lower operating costs, and zero tailpipe emissions compared to traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. Providing concrete proof of this economic edge, Mr. Oscar Rosana shared a standout statistic with the delegation: Metro Trans’ electric buses are currently recording 30% higher profits than traditional ICE counterparts.
Beyond large fleets, electric motorcycles were lauded for their high uptake among Nairobi riders due to affordability and quiet operations, while e-bikes were highlighted by eBee Africa as an ideal last-mile solution for daily commuting.
Specific technical tracks mapped out operator experiences, concluding that two foundational pillars are required to successfully transition public matatu and bus networks:
- Scalable Route Charging Hubs: Building infrastructure exactly where mass transit vehicles pause or turn around.
- Accessible Asset Financing Models: Allowing operators to transition away from legacy ICE vehicles without prohibitive upfront capital.
Tax Breaks and Specialized Tariffs
A major driver of this rapid adoption has been the deliberate fiscal framework engineered to lower the cost of going green. Hezbon Mose, EMAK President, fields the trajectory directly to the strategic structures embedded within the Finance Act, which have aggressively accommodated and spurred sub-sector development.
To contextualize this rapid commercial growth, the legislative framework provides several key accommodations:
- Tax Exemptions: The zero-rating of Value Added Tax (VAT) on electric motorcycles, bicycles, buses, lithium-ion batteries, and charging equipment, alongside the complete elimination of excise duties on e-motorcycles.
- Manufacturing Incentives: Slashing corporate tax rates from 30% to 15% for the first five years for companies setting up local EV assembly plants.
- E-Mobility Tariffs: Highly discounted electricity rates implemented by EPRA, allowing EV charging at KSh 16 per kWh during peak times and an ultra-low KSh 8 per kWh during off-peak hours, making EV running costs significantly cheaper than petrol.
Local Supply Chains and Next-Generation Innovations
As the country looks towards the July 1, 2026 implementation of the East African Community (EAC) Assembly Regulations—which will enforce harmonized regional standards and local content requirements—the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) led a panel detailing what it takes to scale local assembly. Industry heavyweights from Roam, Spiro, and EMAK pointed out that while assembly capacity is growing, the next hurdle lies in deep-supply chain localization, bridging the skills gap in high-voltage diagnostics, and lowering industrial energy costs.
The youth also proved they are ready to meet these technical challenges. A series of innovative pitches showcased brilliant local circular-economy solutions:
- REVLOG: Focusing on the collection, logistics, and distribution of end-of-life EV batteries.
- EcoKawi: Designing technical tracks for the repair, repurposing, and second-life applications of lithium cells.
- EMBRACE: Creating specialized skills development curricula to establish a dedicated Centre of Excellence for e-mobility.
Looking Forward
From the public exhibition floor at the KICC—which showcased everything from fleet solutions to electric consumer vehicles—it is clear that the green transit corridor is practically ready. Moving forward, NaMATA continues to actively embrace e-mobility as a core pillar of modern transport planning, working closely alongside public and private stakeholders to integrate clean technology seamlessly into the metropolitan public transit system.
