FundiWaEV
About The Sh19.37 Billion EV Assembly Plant in Naivasha
By DC
October 01, 2025 at 14:26
Kenya has taken a major step toward accelerating electric mobility with the launch of a Sh19.37 billion ($150 million) EV assembly and accessories plant at KenGen’s Green Energy Park in Olkaria, Naivasha.
The project is being developed by Aquilastar Corporate Investment, a Kenyan firm backed by UAE-based Alsayegh Group. Once operational, the plant is expected to roll out up to 50,000 electric vehicles annually while creating more than 13,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Aquilastar Chairman Abdulatif Alsayegh described the initiative as more than just a manufacturing venture. “For Aquilastar, Olkaria is more than a factory site—it is the launch pad of a new mobility future for Kenya, Africa, and the world,” he said.
The facility will be located within KenGen’s 845-acre Green Energy Park, which sits at the heart of the Olkaria geothermal field. The park is designed as a multi-purpose hub, hosting industrial activities, research centres, offices, hospitality services, and commercial operations, all powered by renewable energy.
Aquilastar CEO Barbara Modani Alwena highlighted the wider economic benefits, noting that EV adoption could significantly cut Kenya’s reliance on fossil fuel imports, which currently cost the country between Sh600 billion and Sh700 billion each year. “This is not just unveiling a new product but igniting a bold vision for the future of mobility, sustainability, and innovation in our country,” she said.
KenGen CEO Peter Njenga echoed the sentiment, calling the project a milestone in Kenya’s industrialisation journey. “This is not simply breaking ground for a new plant. We’re breaking ground for a new chapter of industrialisation in Africa—a chapter powered by clean energy, durable jobs, and local innovations,” he remarked.
To support such initiatives, KenGen is upgrading its power infrastructure, with a goal of producing 1,500 megawatts by 2034, including 834 megawatts from geothermal sources to guarantee reliable supply.
Kenya’s EV market is already showing strong growth. Registered EVs nearly doubled to 5,294 by May 2025, up from 3,753 in December 2023, and the number is projected to reach 9,047 by the end of the year.