Africa’s two-wheeler market is undergoing a rapid shift from petrol-powered motorcycles to affordable electric alternatives, creating new opportunities for green mobility cooperation between China and Africa.

The transition is being driven by rising fuel costs, lower operating expenses and government policies supporting cleaner transportation. An industry insider told the Global Times that demand is particularly strong among delivery and logistics riders, for whom electric motorcycles offer significant savings compared with petrol-powered bikes.

Chinese Technology Drives Electric Mobility

Chinese electric motorcycle manufacturers are playing a growing role in Africa’s transition. TAILG, for instance, has partnered with Ghanaian battery-swapping company Kofa to develop the TK90 electric motorcycle for the African market. Its swappable lithium battery is reported to reduce operating costs by 30 percent, with the model expanding into markets including Kenya and Tanzania.

The company is also developing solar-powered three-wheelers and testing solar panels on battery-swapping stations to support cleaner transport infrastructure.

Beyond manufacturing, Chinese investment is also helping expand Africa's electric mobility ecosystem. African EV mobility company Spiro recently secured $55 million from Chinese investor NewTrails Capital to expand its battery-swapping network across existing markets and new markets including Malawi, Ethiopia and Mali.

Spiro currently operates more than 100,000 electric motorcycles and over 2,500 battery-swapping stations across Africa, having completed more than 30 million battery swaps.

Economics and Policy Accelerate the Shift

The economic case for electric two-wheelers is strengthening the transition. Africa spends close to $150 billion annually importing fuel, while electric motorcycles can reduce total ownership costs by 20 to 40 percent, according to Spiro founder Gagan Gupta.

Africa is estimated to have between 30 million and 40 million motorcycles, with 98 to 99 percent still powered by petrol. As this fleet gradually shifts towards electric models, the potential market for electric mobility remains significant.

Governments are also introducing policies to encourage adoption. Kenya is considering waiving import duties on EVs, while Ethiopia banned the import of internal combustion engine vehicles in 2024. Rwanda has also restricted the registration of new combustion-engine moto-taxis in Kigali.

From Product Sales to Local Manufacturing

The cooperation is increasingly moving beyond importing Chinese electric vehicles towards local production, infrastructure and skills development.

Spiro says it is working with Chinese suppliers to transfer technical expertise to African teams, while discussions are underway to establish local manufacturing capacity. Battery manufacturers are also planning production facilities on the continent.

As Africa's electric mobility market develops, the growing partnership between Chinese technology providers and African businesses could reshape transportation across the continent. With large existing motorcycle fleets, rising fuel costs and increasing policy support for cleaner transport, electric two-wheelers are emerging as a major opportunity for both sustainable mobility and industrial development.