Kenya signs US$3 billion electric-vehicle MoU with Endelevu; China's Geely named as partner

President William Ruto presided over the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Government of Kenya and Endelevu Enterprise Corporation at State House, Nairobi, on 6 October 2026, Citizen Digital and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) reported. The MoU covers a proposed US$3 billion electric-vehicle manufacturing and green mobility project.

The Standard reported that Ruto welcomed a proposal from Endelevu and China's Geely Auto Group. KBC and Uzalendo News also named Geely as a partner in the project. According to The Standard, Ruto described Geely as a Fortune Global 500 company based in China; the paper said Geely has annual revenue of about US$50 billion and operates in 88 countries and regions.

The project would include an assembly plant for 50,000 four-wheel vehicles a year and a second plant making 100,000 two-wheelers and light-mobility vehicles a year, Citizen Digital reported. It also covers 1,000 solar-powered charging hubs and a digital platform able to manage up to 100,000 green vehicles.

KBC reported that the project is projected to create about 2,000 direct jobs and more than 20,000 indirect jobs among suppliers and logistics firms, with up to 80,000 further opportunities in fleet management and services.

KBC quoted Ruto as saying: "This memorandum establishes a framework for an integrated green mobility ecosystem, with a proposed investment of $3 billion. It is one of the largest electric mobility commitments in our region."

The Star reported that Ruto directed the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, through Invest Kenya, to facilitate the project. "A signature does not build a factory," he said, as quoted by The Star. According to Uzalendo News, Ruto said the ministry would work with national and county institutions so that approvals, land and infrastructure are delivered within clear timelines.

Uzalendo News quoted Ruto as saying: "Vehicles built here and qualifying under the Rules of Origin of the East African Community will reach a regional market of hundreds of millions of people."

On imports, The Star quoted Ruto: "For decades, Kenya has imported the fuel that runs our vehicles, and the vehicles that burn that fuel. We have paid for both in hard currency." According to The Standard, he added: "And with every shipment, we have exported jobs that should have been created here."

The Standard reported that Ruto said electricity consumption for electric-vehicle charging rose 188 per cent, from 2.92 million kilowatt-hours in 2024 to 8.43 million in 2025.

According to The Standard, Ruto said the government launched the National Electric Mobility Policy in February 2026. He also cited his 22 May directive allowing duty-free importation of the first 100,000 electric vehicles, and the government's order for 3,000 electric vehicles for security and administration officers. Citizen Digital and Uzalendo News quoted Ruto as saying the National Automotive Bill is now before Parliament.

Kenyans.co.ke reported that at the launch of the policy, the Ministry of Roads and Transport said Kenya had registered 39,324 electric vehicles cumulatively by 2025, up from 1,378 in 2022.

According to Citizen Digital, those present included Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula.