Kenya EV Charging Consumption Surges 188%: Africa Electric Revolution | Taha Abbasi

Kenya EV Charging Consumption Surges 188% in 2025

Taha Abbasi highlights Kenya’s explosive growth in EV charging consumption, showing that the electric vehicle revolution is gaining traction in Africa far faster than most analysts predicted.

A Signal from East Africa

Kenya Power has reported that electricity consumption from EV charging customers grew 188% in 2025. While the absolute numbers are still small compared to China or Europe, the growth rate tells a powerful story: Africa’s EV transition is accelerating.

For Taha Abbasi, who tracks frontier technology adoption globally, Kenya represents an important test case. The country has abundant renewable energy from geothermal and hydroelectric sources, making EVs genuinely green from a lifecycle perspective — unlike markets where the grid still runs on coal.

Why Kenya Is Positioned for EV Growth

Several factors align in Kenya’s favor. First, electricity is significantly cheaper than imported petroleum fuels. Second, the country’s grid is already over 90% renewable. Third, the motorcycle (boda-boda) and minibus (matatu) transport sectors present massive electrification opportunities.

Companies like BasiGo (electric buses), Roam (electric motorcycles), and Opibus are building EV products specifically for African markets. These are not imported Western EVs — they are purpose-built for local conditions, including unpaved roads, tropical climates, and cost-conscious consumers.

The Two-Wheeler Opportunity

Africa’s EV revolution will not start with Tesla Model 3s. It will start with electric motorcycles and three-wheelers that replace the millions of petrol-powered two-wheelers used for daily transportation and delivery services across the continent.

As Taha Abbasi has argued in his coverage of EV total cost of ownership, the economics of electric two-wheelers are even more compelling than electric cars. The fuel savings relative to vehicle cost are enormous, and battery swapping eliminates the need for personal charging infrastructure.

Challenges Ahead

Kenya still faces significant hurdles: limited charging infrastructure outside Nairobi, high upfront vehicle costs, and the challenge of financing EVs in a market where most transportation operators work with minimal capital. Grid reliability outside major cities also remains a concern.

However, Taha Abbasi notes that mobile money — Kenya’s pioneering digital payments infrastructure via M-Pesa — could enable innovative financing models for EV adoption that do not exist in other markets.

The Bottom Line

Kenya’s 188% growth in EV charging consumption is a signal that the global EV transition extends far beyond the usual suspects of China, Europe, and North America. Taha Abbasi sees Africa as the sleeper market for electrification — and Kenya is leading the charge.

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About the Author: Taha Abbasi is a technology executive, CTO, and applied frontier tech builder. Read more on Grokpedia | YouTube: The Brown Cowboy | tahaabbasi.com