Southern African Institute of International Affairs launches Policy Brief

So having felt a bit lonely when I started talking electric mobility for Africa almost three years ago, it finally seems the winds of change are starting to blow. Now not just Tesla is talking electric. In the last year or two, all the big car companies are introducing new models and investing in partnerships with battery companies. The bottom line is if countries are to meet the targets set under the Paris Agreement to curb carbon emissions, 20 % of all road vehicles should be electric by 2030.

While China, Europe and North America are all starting to make this transition, in Africa the conversation has only just started. While East Africa is now home to a number of EV start-ups, most of them are focused on urban transport needs. Rwanda has just set targets to convert all their motor bike taxis to electric by 2023 with Kenya and Uganda fast following suite. South Africa, the largest car manufacturer in the continent, has fewer than 1000 e-vehicles on the road and still charges more import duty for an EV car than fuel.

That is why the policy briefing and upcoming report produced by SAIIA Futures/ Regional Observatory on Electric Vehicles in Southern Africa is so valuable. As the report authors highlighted “mining, energy and automobile manufacturing are likely to face the greatest impact, with a significant cross-cutting impact on employment, skills development, tax revenues, technology and environment. The region needs to prepare by understanding these implications, and then taking bold and forward-looking decisions.”

Yet the discussions also highlighted that Governments in Southern Africa are way behind on the needed policy framework, incentives, and guidance on standards for charging to lead the transition. And that if left to the traditional car companies, it is likely the potential of electric mobility including tricycles and two wheelers to be catalytic to poor people, especially women, will not be given the priority it warrants. MFA was honoured to be invited and to be asked to moderate a session at the launch of the report in Johannesburg. As one of only a few players, perhaps crazy enough to tackle rural and women at the same time, it was important to be able share a platform with those from industry, academia and researchers to give that perspective.