By Kemet Automotive, a new startup led by former Jaguar engineer Nissi Ogulu and Rui Mendes Da Silva, is planning to roll out Africa-made EVs by 2027, with Nigeria as a key production hub.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has more than 200 million people but only about 15,000 to 20,000 electric vehicles on its roads. That’s less than 1% of all cars in the country. The government wants to see 7.5% of cars go electric by 2025 and 40% by 2050, but high prices and weak infrastructure are slowing things down. A new EV can cost up to $25,000, much more than most Nigerians earn in a year.
Despite these challenges, startups across Africa are working to change the game. In Kenya, BasiGo is putting electric buses on the streets. Rwanda’s Ampersand is building electric motorcycles and battery-swap stations. Ghana’s SolarTaxi is assembling EVs with solar charging. Now, Kemet Automotive is joining the movement with a focus on making EVs that fit African roads and budgets.
Kemet’s founders bring global experience home. Ogulu, who worked on the Range Rover at Jaguar, says the pandemic made her rethink her career. “I realised that the skills and position I had gained were tools I wanted to bring back to the continent for greater impact,” she said
The company is developing three main vehicles: the Gezo tricycle, the Nandi compact SUV, and the Mansa premium SUV. Kemet is building its supply chains and factories across Africa, with Nigeria set to be a major site. Other plants are planned for Côte d’Ivoire and possibly Senegal or Ghana, but details are still under wraps.
Building EVs in Africa isn’t easy. High costs, few charging stations, and public skepticism make things tough. Ogulu is honest: “It’s highly capital-intensive and time-consuming, with no instant gratification. The infrastructural demands and high capital expenditure create a steep barrier to entry.” She adds that Kemet is “building a system that does not exist”.
To keep prices down, Kemet aims to sell its cars for $20,000 to $25,000, similar to popular brands like Toyota. For lower-income buyers, they’re working on affordable tricycles. The goal is to match what Nigerians already spend on vehicles, but with cleaner, locally made options.
Charging is another big challenge. Nigeria has fewer than 200 public charging stations, mostly in Lagos and Abuja. Kemet is partnering with companies in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Benin, and Kenya to grow the network. They’ve also installed a few stations in Victoria Island, Lagos, and are working on portable and supercharging solutions. The company wants its cars to go up to 800 km on a single charge, enough for a trip from Lagos to Port Harcourt.
While Nigeria has introduced import duty waivers for EVs and some pilot charging stations, policy support is still lacking. Ogulu says better incentives and investment are needed to help local manufacturers compete. “We need policies that ease the manufacturing process and make it harder to import used, polluting vehicles,” she said, pointing to global examples like London’s Ultra Low Emission Zones.
Funding is another big hurdle. Kemet recently closed a pre-seed round and is now seeking more investment. Ogulu notes that most venture capital firms are too cautious for such a big project, so the company is relying on high-net-worth individuals and silent investors for now.
Kemet is betting that technology, local adaptation, and good after-sales service will set it apart. The company wants to build cars that handle African roads and suit all income levels. If it succeeds, Kemet could help put millions of affordable, locally made EVs on African roads, powered by clean energy and supported by better infrastructure.
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