Kenya has signed a memorandum of understanding with Endelevu Enterprise Corporation and its Chinese partner Geely Auto Group for a proposed $3 billion investment in electric vehicle manufacturing, charging infrastructure and fleet management, as the country seeks to build a domestic automotive industry and reduce reliance on imported vehicles.

The agreement was signed on October 6 at State House in Nairobi in the presence of President William Ruto. The project envisages an assembly plant capable of producing 50,000 four-wheel vehicles annually, alongside a second facility with capacity for up to 100,000 electric two-wheelers and light-mobility vehicles a year.

The proposed investment also includes 1,000 solar-powered charging hubs and a digital platform designed to manage up to 100,000 electric vehicles. According to figures announced by Ruto, the project could create about 2,000 direct jobs, more than 20,000 indirect jobs and up to 80,000 additional opportunities in fleet management and related services.

For Nairobi, the plan is part of a broader effort to move beyond importing finished vehicles and capture more value from manufacturing at home. The government also hopes to develop local technical skills, create opportunities for Kenyan suppliers and position the country as a production hub serving East African and other African markets.

Kenya is also looking to use its renewable electricity resources to support electric mobility and reduce exposure to fluctuations in global oil prices. The government launched a national electric mobility policy in February 2026 and has introduced measures intended to encourage electric vehicle adoption.

However, the project remains at the memorandum stage. Details on definitive agreements, financing arrangements, construction timelines and the location of the proposed facilities have not been fully disclosed. Ruto said the priority was to move from the initial agreement to binding commitments and then to construction and production.