On October 6, 2026, President William Ruto presided over the signing of a $3 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Kenya and Endelevu Enterprise Corporation at State House, Nairobi. The MoU provides a framework for one of the largest electric mobility investments in the region, aiming to boost local assembly and manufacturing of electric vehicles in Kenya. The project is expected to create about 2,000 direct jobs and more than 20,000 indirect jobs among suppliers, logistics firms, and service providers.
The integrated green mobility project will include manufacturing and assembling electric vehicles in Kenya, with a proposed investment of $3 billion. The project comprises an assembly plant for 50,000 four-wheel vehicles a year and a second plant for 100,000 two-wheelers and light mobility vehicles a year. Additionally, 1,000 solar-powered charging hubs and a digital platform to manage up to 100,000 green vehicles will be established. President Ruto stated that the project will help Kenya stop exporting jobs by shifting from importing finished vehicles to adding value locally.
President Ruto emphasized that the MoU establishes a framework for an integrated green mobility ecosystem, which will create up to 80,000 further opportunities in fleet management, operations, and services. He also linked the Dangote East African Refinery in Lamu with the electric vehicle project, stating that these are two investments with one direction - to add value and create jobs in Africa. The President noted that some may ask how one nation can refine petroleum and electrify its transport at the same time, but he believes it is a strategic synergy.
The President explained that every electric vehicle on the road cuts fuel import bills and eases pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. He pointed out that when the country imports fuel, it imports price shocks, adding that when the country generates its own power, it generates its own stability. President Ruto also mentioned that the Government announced that the first 100,000 electric vehicles imported into Kenya would be duty-free, and the Government has ordered 3,000 electric vehicles for its security and administration officers.
Investment and Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the MoU will help reduce Kenya’s dependency on imported petroleum. Endelevu Enterprise Corporation Chairman Susong Tong said the MoU marks another milestone in Kenya’s automotive industry. The signing ceremony was attended by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi (National Treasury) and Davis Chirchir (Roads and Transport), among others.
President Ruto directed the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, through Ken-Invest, to provide all the necessary support to the investor. He said the ministry will also work with every relevant national and county institution so that approvals, land, and infrastructure are delivered within clear timelines. The President made it clear that Endelevu Corporation will be measured by what it builds, and the Government will be measured by how fast it clears the way.
The President stated that Kenya expected investment and industrial capacity, jobs for young people, and contracts for SMEs, as well as technology and skills to be transferred. He told Endelevu Corporation and its partner, Geely, that Kenya’s ambition goes beyond its borders, aiming to manufacture for East Africa and for Africa. President Ruto emphasized that vehicles built in Kenya and qualifying under the Rules of Origin of the East African Community will reach a regional market of hundreds of millions of people.
Key points
- The project aims to create about 2,000 direct jobs and more than 20,000 indirect jobs.
- The MoU provides a framework for one of the largest electric mobility investments in the region.
- The project will help Kenya stop exporting jobs by shifting from importing finished vehicles to adding value locally.
