February 20, 2025

Morocco seeks end-to-end EV manufacturing in 2026

February 19, 2025

Morocco is aiming to become the first country in Africa and the seventh in the world to do end-to-end manufacturing of electric vehicles in 2026. This means complete EV manufacturing capabilities, from raw material processing to final assembly. Currently, only China, the US, Germany, South Korea, Japan and India have this capacity.

  • Morocco will process its critical minerals – cobalt, copper and phosphate – locally to make components such as batteries and high-strength metal alloys. This value-addition will mean more, as the country earns less by selling them cheaply in raw form.

  • Being an end-to-end manufacturer of EVs will enable the country to control its entire supply chain, cutting reliance on volatile foreign markets for key components. In an age where tariffs and embargoes are increasingly being applied, it will give Morocco a huge advantage.

  • Our take: Morocco is smartly preparing for Europe’s upcoming ban on fossil fuel vehicles in 2035… Read more (2 min)

Nigeria adopts AI cameras to guard EV infrastructure

EV charging companies in Nigeria are integrating AI-enabled security cameras to prevent theft and vandalism of chargers. These cameras use smart technology to distinguish between people, animals, and objects. They can send alerts in response to unusual activity, enabling EV charging station operators to take preventive actions.

  • Although the number of charging stations remains relatively low among early EV adopters, the risk of cable theft could impede large-scale deployment before manufacturers introduce physical design upgrades to deter theft. 

  • AI integration represents a significant step forward in enhancing security; however, for these measures to be fully effective, charging stations require a stable and independent power supply.

  • Our take: Changing EV charger designs to enhance theft security will take time; meanwhile, AI technology may be increasingly used to prevent infrastructure damage… Read more (2 min)

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is set to launch the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid bakkie, the Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid SUV and the all-electric Sealion 7 coupé-SUV in South Africa this year. It adds to the planned launch of the Dolphin Mini, its cheapest EV selling for $9,500, in the same market this year. 

  • The four new models will bring BYD’s lineup of EVs and hybrids in South Africa to seven, the most of any automaker in the country. Once launched, they will increase the number of fully-electric models to 23 and hybrids to 11.

  • BYD, the largest EV manufacturer in the world, currently sells the Dolphin, Atto 3 and Seal in the country. The introduction of the Dolphin Mini and the Sealion 7 will increase its full EV lineup to five. It will also have two out of 11 hybrid models available in the country.

  • Our take: It is unlikely that the existing EV and hybrid brands in South Africa will be able to compete with BYD for long due to its very low prices… Read more (2 min)

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Tourists enjoying a tour using eBee’s electric bicycle in Uganda

Events

🗓️ IDTechEx hosts a webinar on solid-state battery adoption (Mar 19)

🗓️ Africa Energy Indaba to host a session on Africa’s e-mobility revolution (Mar 4)

🗓️ Kempower hosts a webinar on heavy electric vehicle charging (Mar 5)

Jobs

👨‍✈️ MellowVan seeks a Driver (South Africa)

👨‍💼 Dodai seeks a Junior EHS Officer (Ethiopia)

👩🏻‍💼 Rabbit Mobility seeks a Performance Operations Manager (Egypt)

Various 

🤝 Auto24 Morocco partners with FastVolt

📝 Infinity and Hassan Allam Utilities make a deal with GASTEC and Misr Petroleum to expand Egypt’s charging network

🎙️ Listen to Joubert Roux discussion on what SA needs to achieve its net zero carbon targets

Seen on LinkedIn 

Marjon Castelijns, Founder of Climate Connection Africa, points out, “Maybe companies like Shell should start looking into investing in charging infra here, instead of opening a petrol station every 5 km.”

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