Kenya has taken a major step toward becoming a regional hub for electric mobility with the construction of a new electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant in the Naivasha Special Economic Zone.
The facility, backed by TAD Motors, is expected to roll out its first locally assembled EVs as early as January 2026.
The Naivasha plant will assemble vehicles using complete knock-down (CKD) kits before gradually integrating locally sourced components.
TAD Motors says the plant will initially focus on producing affordable electric cars for the domestic market, with a target price range of KSh 1.3 million to KSh 1.5 million per unit.
Longer-term plans include developing the capacity to manufacture key parts locally and positioning Kenya as an export base for EVs to neighboring countries.
“This project represents a turning point for Kenya’s automotive industry,” said a company spokesperson.
“We are not only creating green mobility options but also unlocking opportunities for jobs, skills transfer, and industrial growth.”
Located within the Naivasha Special Economic Zone, the facility benefits from proximity to the Olkaria geothermal fields, ensuring access to clean energy for production and charging infrastructure.
The government has already designated 342 hectares in the nearby Olkaria Green Energy Park to attract additional EV manufacturers and related industries.
The project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, ranging from assembly line workers and engineers to suppliers and service providers.
Beyond employment, the plant is seen as a key driver in cutting Kenya’s transport emissions, reducing reliance on imported fuel, and improving air quality in urban areas.
The development comes at a time when Kenya is intensifying its e-mobility agenda.
The government has been working on an e-mobility policy to guide incentives, infrastructure roll-out, and investment in battery technology.
Companies like BasiGo and MojaEV have also made inroads in the sector, assembling electric buses and planning future factories.
For Naivasha, already an emerging industrial hub, the EV plant signals a new chapter of growth.
With construction underway, all eyes are now on how quickly the facility can deliver on its promise of affordable, locally assembled electric cars for Kenya and beyond.
