The African electric scooter market is experiencing significant growth, driven by various factors including rapid urbanization, escalating fuel costs, and increasing environmental awareness. This has led to a shift from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric alternatives. Electric scooters, known for their lightweight design and ease of use, are becoming increasingly popular among residents, contributing to the region's goals for reducing carbon emissions.
The Africa electric scooter market size was valued at USD 54.5 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2025 to 2030. This growth is fueled by several key trends and market dynamics.
Key Drivers and Trends
Several factors are contributing to the increasing adoption of electric scooters across Africa:
- Rapid Urbanization: As more people move to cities, the demand for affordable and efficient transportation options increases. Scooters provide a practical solution for navigating through congested urban areas where public transportation may be limited or unreliable.
- Escalating Fuel Costs: Rising fuel costs are making electric scooters an attractive alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
- Rising Vehicular Emissions: Growing environmental concerns are driving consumers to opt for eco-friendly transportation options like electric scooters.
- Tourism: Key tourist destinations such as Morocco and Egypt see visitors renting electric scooters for local exploration, further boosting demand.
Technological Advancements
The African electric scooter market is witnessing significant technological advancements, particularly in battery technology, smart features, and connectivity solutions. Innovations such as lithium-ion batteries with enhanced energy density and quicker charging capabilities are becoming standard, improving the overall performance and range of electric scooters.
Regulatory Frameworks and Government Initiatives
Regulatory frameworks in Africa are evolving to support the growth of the electric scooter market, with various governments implementing policies aimed at promoting electric mobility and reducing vehicular emissions. Countries such as South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya are introducing guidelines that facilitate the registration and use of electric scooters alongside incentives such as tax breaks and subsidies for electric vehicle purchases.
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Market Segmentation Analysis
The electric scooter market can be segmented based on various factors, including type, battery type, and voltage.
By Type
The market is divided into retro/self-start and folding segments:
- Retro/Self-Start: This segment accounted for a revenue share of 57.7% in 2024. These scooters are powered by a drivetrain swing arm and feature a liquid-cooled electric motor, enabling higher speeds and endurance. They also require less maintenance and offer battery-swapping options.
- Folding: The folding segment is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period due to the portability, lightweight design, fast charging capabilities, and better mileage of these scooters.
By Battery Type
The market is segmented into sealed lead-acid and Li-ion batteries:
- Sealed Lead-Acid: This segment dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to remain dominant due to the reliability, low maintenance, economical cost, and portability of these batteries.
- Li-ion: The Li-ion segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Lithium batteries have better energy storage capacity, low discharge rate, better charging efficiency, and durability. Moreover, these batteries are 100% recyclable, thus making them re-introduced back to the supply chain.
According to Bloomberg, the price of Li-ion battery packs dropped by 14% in 2023 as compared to 2022. This price reduction was primarily due to lower costs of components and raw materials, driven by an increase in production capacity across all segments of the battery value chain.
By Voltage
The market is segmented into 36V and greater than 48V segments:
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- 36V: This segment holds the largest market share in 2024. Vehicles integrated with 36V systems have better charge retention capacity than 24V voltage systems, provide extra mileage, and are cost-effective.
- Greater than 48V: This segment is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Electric scooter manufacturers are adopting greater than 48V batteries to increase the efficiency of the vehicle.
Different regions in Africa are experiencing varying levels of growth in the electric scooter market:
- South Africa: The South Africa electric scooter market is witnessing steady growth, driven by increasing urbanization, growing environmental concerns, and rising fuel prices, prompting a shift toward eco-friendly transportation alternatives. South Africa dominated the Africa electric scooter market with a share of 24.01% in 2024.
- Egypt: The Egypt electric scooter market is expected to witness substantial growth through the forecast period. Electric scooter rental start-up companies such as Slyd provide rentable e-scooters for short trips, thus contributing to the high growth of the electric scooter market in Egypt.
Manufacturers are taking initiatives to drive growth and enhance user adoption. Local companies are focusing on developing affordable and durable electric scooters tailored to the specific needs of African consumers, such as rugged terrains and urban environments. Companies outside Africa are entering the African market through agreements with distributors.
Some of the prominent players in the electric scooter market include:
- Ninebot Limited: Offers a range of electric mobility solutions including electric scooters, self-balancing scooters, and electric bikes.
- Global automobile manufacturers are introducing rental electric scooters to Africa. Companies such as Lime, and Bird offer rental electric scooter services in Dubai, Egypt, and Morocco. Vehicles provided by the companies are affordable, sustainable, and reduce carbon emissions, widely adopted by young people.
Recent initiatives by companies include:
- In October 2024, VinFast Auto, a prominent private conglomerate from Vietnam, entered into a distribution agreement with Jospong Group of Companies, a leading multi-industry company in Ghana. This collaboration enables Jospong to distribute the full range of VinFast vehicles, including electric scooters, cars, buses, and e-bikes, throughout Ghana and the West African region.
- In November 2023, Uber South Africa launched a new service called Uber Package, which will utilize electric scooters for deliveries.
- In August 2023, Spiro, an African startup, announced its plans to expand the leasing of electric scooters and motorcycles to Kenya and Uganda.
- In October 2023, TAILG Group, a Chinese e-mobility company, announced a collaboration with Kofa, a Ghanaian firm specializing in battery swap networks, to develop a new electric motorcycle called Jidi.
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The electric scooter market faces competition from electric bikes, e-motorcycles, and other e-mopeds. These alternatives offer features such as fast charging and long-distance travel. To overcome these challenges, electric scooter manufacturers are working on increasing the efficiency of their vehicles by adopting greater than 48V batteries.
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Despite these challenges, the market presents significant opportunities for growth, driven by increasing demand for affordable and eco-friendly transportation solutions.
The African electric scooter market is poised for substantial growth in the coming years, driven by urbanization, rising fuel costs, environmental concerns, and technological advancements. With supportive government policies and increasing consumer awareness, electric scooters are set to play a significant role in shaping the future of urban mobility in Africa.
| Year | Market Size (USD Million) | CAGR (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 54.5 | - |
| 2025-2030 (Projected) | - | 7.5 |
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