While many African countries consider boosting their e-mobility transition, there are some statistics to have a look. A 2024 UNEP report shows developed countries exported 3.1 million used gasoline vehicles in 2022, up from 2.5 million in 2015, with about one-third destined for Africa.

Globally, transport produces 15% of global Greenhouse gas emissions, making it the fourth-largest and fastest-growing source. Although Africa’s transport emissions currently account for only about 3.8% of the global total, transport emissions grow 8% annually, closely tied to rapid urban growth.  GGGI’s analysis on the National Determined Contributions (NDCs) for E-mobility in 2021 reveals that the transport sector has been identified in 140 out of 190 submitted NDCs as an area requiring prompt action.  In Africa, the sector’s role is gaining attention alongside rapid urbanization.

These realities highlight a paradox: Africa must address rising emissions and congestion while managing an accelerating influx of used vehicles and rapid urbanization. This makes a leap toward electric mobility not just an option, but a necessity. Policymakers, therefore, need multidimensional strategies that balance internal priorities with external market forces while recognizing challenges in the e-mobility transition.

“Why does e-mobility matter for Africa, and how GGGI supports member states in overcoming challenges in EV transition?”

GGGI’s support in Africa

Ahead of the Africa E-mobility Week 2025 (AEW 2025), this article guides you to explore the extent of GGGI’s engagement in supporting countries’ EV transition in Africa.

GGGI has prioritized sustainable transport since its inception, aligning with its mission to support low-carbon development. Globally, across 20 Member States, GGGI is working with governments and partners to shift away from fossil fuels and build cleaner, more inclusive transport systems.

In Africa, GGGI is already on the ground in Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Togo, working closely with partners to accelerate the e-mobility revolution. As assessment of the existing enabling environment is a critical pillar, all four countries have been supported by examining the existing condition of policies and regulations. Looking into the capital cities of Addis Ababa, Abidjan, Kigali, and Lomé, where rapid urbanization and high transport demand converge, GGGI has analyzed the key modes of transport that offer the greatest potential for improving traffic flow efficiency while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

However, each country has different levels of engagement and interest within its strategy, hence GGGI’s interventions span widely. Supporting to achievement of the strategic targets of each country, the GGGI country team follows different pathways aligning with the country’s strategic directions.

The countries have set ambitious carbon reduction targets in their NDCs, with transport identified as one of the main drivers for achieving them. By 2030, Côte d’Ivoire (98.95%), Ethiopia (70.3%), Rwanda (38%), and Togo (50.57%) aim to meet their targets, requiring the transport sector to undergo a major transformation due to its significant contribution to emissions.

To meet their targets, countries have introduced and implemented diverse policy tools and incentive frameworks, sparking a paradigm shift that quickly captured market attention. Drawing on robust quantitative analysis and technical expertise, GGGI has crafted support to amplify this momentum in line with national strategic priorities.

Cote d’Ivoire adopted the degree in 2024, promoting the use of EV, solidifying further introduction of policies, incentives and regulations. Together with a completed action plan in sustainable mobility, GGGI aims to further strengthen regulations and promote low-carbon transport solutions like the Intelligent Transport System. GGGI will further support mass transit through the introduction of electric buses, helping to ease population displacement and improve public health at the national level.

Ethiopia has taken a bold step by becoming the first country to ban the import of ICE vehicles in 2023, while also granting tax reductions for low-emission vehicles. As a result, EV adoption has surged, tripling from 4,600 in 2023 to 14,000 by early 2025.  GGGI supported the development of robust active mobility systems in urban areas, focusing on electric Bus Rapid Transit (E-BRT) along Addis Ababa’s B3 and B4 corridors, through integrated public transport planning, technical documentation, and investment proposal formulation.

Corridors development in Addis Ababa and major Ethiopian urban centres is now providing active modes of transport to the residents of the urban locations. And in cities like Addis Ababa, close to 100 electric buses and more than 150 medium-sized electrified minibuses are now operational.

Rwanda introduced its first EV promotion package in 2023, including tax exemptions on EV imports and charging infrastructure, and later announced a ban on registering ICE motorbikes. This led to a significant 396% increase in the number of EV adoptions between 2023 and 2024. Building on technical analysis of e-bus operations, charging infrastructure, and their contribution to air quality and GHG reduction, the scope of intervention has expanded to leveraging climate finance instruments and integrating with flagship government projects such as the new Kigali International Airport.

Togo implemented a 100% VAT and customs duty exemption on EVs from October 2024. Current focus lies on strengthening institutional capacity, improving stakeholder coordination, and establishing operational MRV systems alongside awareness campaigns to ensure long-term sustainability.

We are excited to further showcase these efforts at the AEW 2025. Our session, “Green Mobility to Net-Zero: Driving the EV Transition,” will highlight key lessons, share success stories, and explore how new partnerships can speed up EV adoption in Africa. 

A passenger in Kigali, Rwanda, boards an electric bus. © GGGI Rwanda

Overcoming barriers to e-mobility in Africa

Setting aside technologies, Africa’s transition to e-mobility is not without its hurdles. Policymakers and businesses across the continent face persistent barriers, including the high upfront cost of EVs compared to fossil-fuel alternatives, limited access to reliable charging infrastructure, a lack of dedicated financing and data, and skill gaps. Because transport is deeply intertwined with economic, social, and environmental outcomes, these barriers and uncertainties have often made decision-makers hesitant to fully commit to the EV transition.

Given the constraints that Africa faces, together with rapid urbanization, a leapfrogging transition toward e-mobility solutions is therefore required. This gap is where GGGI acts as a catalyst for member countries transitioning to electric mobility within its value chain by offering technical support, mobilizing green investments, implementing e-mobility initiatives, and building local capacity under GGGI’s value chain. To ensure effective outcomes within existing constraints, GGGI emphasizes stakeholder engagement, country ownership, and quality standards throughout the project cycle. This approach helps create enabling environments and attract public and private investment in e-mobility.

Building on an analytical foundation, pilot implementation with the identification of key priority areas will enable member countries to gain visible insights on overcoming their localization hurdles. With technical expertise in quantitative analysis, GGGI have designed and implemented projects generating tangible implications and providing confidence in scaling up solutions for policymakers.

The successful demonstration will directly connect to investment opportunities. Since EV transition requires substantial resources, mapping priority areas for investor engagement, financial analysis are critical steps to build bankable projects. This approach not only mobilizes climate finance but also encourages greater private sector participation, accelerating the leapfrogging momentum across Africa.

In the value-chain wide, robust measurement and policy alignment should be foundational. Quantifying the transport sector’s contribution to GHG emissions and integrating the results into the national framework strengthens policy coherence toward intended intermediary outcomes. Since robust data-driven analysis, including the application of Artificial Intelligence, is gaining attention, GGGI’s competitiveness in AI applications in Green Growth will boost the paradigm shift.

The author of this blog is You Shik Kim, a Sustainable Mobility Specialist, seconded by the Korea Multilateral Cooperation Officers (KMCO) program under Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Republic of Korea, to the Global Green Growth Institute in Rwanda.