Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven a sharp rise in African electric‑vehicle demand, benefitting Chinese manufacturers. Orders for electric motorbikes and buses assembled locally with Chinese components are surging, while start‑ups have raised roughly $300 million for charging infrastructure since last month. Dubai‑based Spiro, Africa’s largest e‑motorbike and battery‑swap operator, will secure $55mn from New Trails Capital, underscoring China’s expanding footprint.

Fuel price spikes have made electric two‑wheelers financially attractive. Brian Njao of M‑Kopa notes daily petrol costs for a moto‑taxi jumped from $4.20 to $5.10, a rise of over 20%, while an e‑motorbike can travel the same distance for $2.30, making e‑motorbikes a clear cost advantage for drivers. Kenya plans to waive import duties, and Ethiopia already fields 115,000 EVs.

Governments see EVs as a way to cut costly fuel imports. Kenya’s diesel price climbed 30% this year, prompting venture capitalists like James Irungu Mwangi to note a shift from second‑hand imports to competitively priced Chinese models. BYD supplied 35% of Africa’s 25,000 electric cars sold in 2025, while start‑up Kabisa seeks $2.1 billion to build a charging corridor for 1,000 trucks.