Blue EV launches operations in Egypt

• Blue EV was founded in Egypt in 2022, aiming to take a pie of the expanding e-mobility market in the North African country. The company signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with key stakeholders in Egypt’s mobility space in preparation for the commercial launch.

• In 2023 for instance, the firm signed a tripartite MOU with the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) and CHLORIDE Egypt S.A.E to localize the manufacture of lithium batteries and electronic control units for light EVs.

• Our take: Battery swapping is key to the uptake of e-mobility not only in Egypt but across Africa. Blu EV’s battery swapping technology is well positioned to take advantage of rising demand for this service… Read more (2 min)

South Africa to deploy a fleet of BYD buses

• Currently, Golden Arrow operates a fleet of 1,200 buses, meaning electric buses will account for nearly 10% of its total fleet. The company has adopted the BYD B12 model, which has a capacity of 65 passengers and a range of 200 km on a full charge.

• According to the National Household Travel Survey, 35% of South African workers use public transport. Among the 3.9 million public commuters, 22% rely on bus services, while the rest prefer trains and taxis.

• Our take: Rolling out electric buses in Africa’s mass transport sector requires a phased approach that prioritises the availability of charging infrastructure… Read more (2 min)

NCBA launches charging station in Uganda

• In September 2024, NCBA acquired two hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) from CFAO Mobility Kenya. The charging stations at its main offices in the region will be used to charge its growing fleet of EVs.

• NCBA operates in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast. The bank has been targeting increased lending to the e-mobility sector in the five markets in which it operates. In 2023, the lender announced a $15.5 million fund targeting customers looking to purchase personal and public electric vehicles.

• Our take: EVs are costlier than ICE vehicles. Lack of financing for the acquisition of EVs has made the transition to e-mobility slower. More lenders should avail financing to the e-mobility sector to support its growth… Read more (2 min)

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