Author: Tunde Okafor

African electric mobility company Spiro has raised $215 million in an equity financing round to accelerate the expansion of its electric vehicle operations and battery-swapping infrastructure across the continent. The company said the new funding will be used to expand its presence in existing markets, enter new countries, strengthen manufacturing and assembly capabilities, and advance technology development initiatives. Investors Back Expansion Strategy The investment round attracted institutional investors from Africa and Europe, including Impact Fund Denmark and Equitane. Spiro also highlighted continued support from existing investor FEDA, the development impact investment arm of Afreximbank. The company did not disclose the…

African electric mobility company Spiro has acquired motorcycle engineering specialist Coexlion as part of its strategy to strengthen product development capabilities and expand the localisation of electric two-wheelers for African markets. The company also announced plans to establish its first African research and development centre in Kenya, aimed at supporting the design and engineering of electric motorcycles tailored to regional requirements. Acquisition Targets Product Development Capabilities According to Spiro, the acquisition of Coexlion will help accelerate vehicle development cycles and enhance the localisation of components and vehicle architecture. The company said the move is intended to support the creation of…

South African charging infrastructure company Zero Carbon Charge has commissioned two off-grid, solar-powered high-power charging stations along the Johannesburg-Durban N3 transport corridor as part of efforts to expand electric vehicle infrastructure in the country. The company, also operating under the CHARGE brand, said the charging stations are powered entirely by solar energy combined with battery storage systems and ultra-fast charging technology. According to CHARGE, the two sites entered operation last week and are designed to support both passenger electric vehicles and commercial electric trucks. “This will now allow any EV or electric truck driver to travel long-distance, showing that electric…

Uganda has unveiled a national strategy to electrify all public transport by 2030 as part of a broader industrial and sustainability programme aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing emissions. The plan covers buses and boda-bodas, the motorcycle taxis widely used across the country, and forms part of Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan and National E-Mobility Strategy. Winstone Katushabe, commissioner for transport regulation and safety at the Ministry of Works and Transport, announced the initiative. The programme is expected to cost approximately $1.7 billion. According to Cosmas Twikirize, superintendent of the industrial value chain at the Ministry of Science, Innovation…

Chinese automaker GAC has launched four pure electric models in Ethiopia and opened a flagship showroom in Addis Ababa, marking its entry into the country’s new energy vehicle market and expanding its presence in Africa. The company held an event in the Ethiopian capital on March 27 to introduce the Aion UT, Aion V Home, Hyptec HT and Hyptec HL models. The lineup spans sedan and SUV segments and is positioned to address a range of mobility needs for different customer groups in the local market. GAC said the Ethiopia launch reflects its broader global expansion strategy, supported by in-house…

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is considering sharing its vehicle manufacturing plant in South Africa with Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motor, according to a report by Bloomberg citing people familiar with the matter. The companies are reportedly discussing a co-manufacturing arrangement at Mercedes-Benz’s facility in East London. As part of the discussions, representatives from Great Wall Motor have presented a production proposal to senior officials at the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition outlining the company’s interest in producing vehicles locally. A final agreement has not yet been reached, and the companies could also pursue alternative partnership structures, according to…

ABB E-mobility and Esyasoft e-Mobility have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure and energy-integrated mobility solutions across several emerging markets, the companies said. The partnership will combine ABB’s global portfolio of EV charging hardware with Esyasoft’s energy management platforms, project development capabilities and digital services. Initial projects will focus on the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with potential expansion into additional regions. See also: ABB E-mobility Expands Charging Portfolio with New Modular DC Systems The collaboration targets large-scale fleet electrification programs for public transit agencies, utilities and enterprise operators. ABB brings fast-charging systems…

Nigeria has signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee to establish an electric vehicle manufacturing plant and roll out nationwide charging infrastructure, as the country steps up efforts to build a domestic electric mobility industry. The project, announced by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), is expected to support local production of electric vehicles with a planned annual capacity of up to 300,000 units. It is also intended to promote technology transfer, attract investment and support skills development in Nigeria’s automotive sector. See also: South Africa Weighs Up to 50% Tariffs on Vehicle…

DHL Supply Chain is expanding its electric transport trials across Africa as part of its long-term decarbonisation strategy, with Managing Director Bremer Pauw saying the company is deliberately taking a phased approach to demonstrate feasibility in markets with significant infrastructure constraints. “We’ve not flipped a switch overnight,” Pauw said. “Our approach has been to run pilots first – to show others that it’s possible.” The company began its electrification journey four years ago and now relies on partnerships with vehicle manufacturers, charging specialists and energy providers to scale pilot operations. Several ongoing trials are underway in South Africa, including a…