Facing rising tariffs in the United States and European Union, China is accelerating its pivot to Africa as the next frontier for electric vehicle (EV) expansion and manufacturing, according to a new article in the South China Morning Post.
Amid trade tensions with the West, Chinese automakers are increasingly targeting African markets to absorb surplus EV production. In Nigeria, China has announced plans to build EV and battery plants, capitalizing on the country’s rich lithium reserves and aligning with Beijing’s focus on African industrialization. Chinese firms are already active in Nasarawa, a lithium hub, where Avatar New Energy Materials opened a $500 million processing facility last year. Beyond Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria are emerging as strategic EV hubs.
Morocco’s access to Europe, strong trade deals, and phosphate resources make it a magnet for battery investments. In Egypt, Chinese companies like BAIC and SAIC are operating CKD assembly plants, with plans for full manufacturing in the coming years. Chinese EV giants such as BYD and Chery are rolling out affordable models across Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa. Ethiopia’s petrol car ban and tax breaks have drawn Chinese EVs rapidly into the market. Analysts caution, however, that Africa’s market — though promising — is still small and grapples with infrastructure and energy challenges. Still, as China diversifies its EV ambitions, Africa is quickly becoming a key player in the global green transition.