Ghana now leads the continent in electric vehicle adoption, with an estimated 17,000 EVs on its roads, surpassing Morocco, South Africa, and Tanzania. The country’s success is credited to proactive government policies, including import duty waivers, and a growing shift toward electric two- and three-wheelers used for both commercial and personal transportation.
In April, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Agribusiness, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, announced a major review of the Ghana Automotive Development Policy to reflect emerging trends in electric mobility.
She said the framework will include electric vehicles, e-bicycles, and e-tricycles, with targeted incentives to attract both local and foreign investments in clean transport technology.
At the commissioning of the Foton Truck showroom and during visits to Japan Motors and Volkswagen Ghana’s assembly plants in Tema, she said, “This is about placing Ghana at the forefront of West Africa‘s mobility revolution. We’re creating an ecosystem that supports innovation, from vehicle assembly to battery technology and smart infrastructure,”
The Minister noted that this aligns with Ghana’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero energy-related emissions by 2060.
Morocco ranks second with around 10,000 EVs and a well-established network of over 400 public charging stations. The North African country has made significant investments in EV manufacturing and infrastructure, positioning itself as a key exporter of electric vehicles within and beyond the region.
Despite having the continent’s most developed automotive sector, South Africa trails with approximately 6,000 EVs. However, recent reforms, including the removal of import duties and an expanded charging network, are expected to boost market growth.
In East Africa, EV adoption is rising steadily. Tanzania has seen rapid growth in electric motorcycles and tuk-tuks, bringing its EV total to roughly 5,000. Ethiopia, leveraging its abundant hydropower resources, is estimated to have between 5,000 and 7,000 EVs. The country is encouraging EV use through tax incentives and a supportive regulatory framework.
More than a dozen African countries are preparing to launch national EV policies by early 2025. These policies typically include reduced import duties, tax breaks on EV components, and government-backed pilot projects integrating electric mobility into public transport systems.
Additionally, several nations are working on legislation to gradually phase out internal combustion engine vehicles while supporting local EV production through subsidies and partnerships with global automakers.
Africa’s growing embrace of electric vehicles offers a timely solution to persistent urban transport challenges, including high fuel costs and rising emissions. With the right mix of policy support, infrastructure investment, and regional cooperation, EVs could play a central role in shaping a cleaner, more efficient future for mobility across the continent.
