EMAK Members Industry Round Table (2026) Q1

The Electric Mobility Association of Kenya (EMAK) convened its members for an Industry Round Table on 27 March 2026 at Strathmore University, Nairobi. The session brought together players across the electric vehicle ecosystem, including manufacturers, financiers, charging infrastructure providers, academic institutions, and policy stakeholders, with a shared goal of aligning on priority actions needed to accelerate EV adoption in Kenya.

The round table focused on consolidating member priorities into a unified industry agenda, identifying practical action steps, and mobilizing coordinated implementation for a faster, more inclusive, and more sustainable electric mobility transition in Kenya.

Key Industry Priorities

Participants reached strong alignment on six core areas that must be addressed to unlock Kenya’s electric mobility potential.

• Policy Certainty & Incentives: Retain all existing EV tax incentives and expand coverage to trucks, passenger vehicles, and three-wheelers.
• Affordable & Accessible EVs: Reduce EV costs through tax relief and ensure all vehicle categories are covered in government incentive frameworks.
• Charging Infrastructure: Accelerate the rollout of charging stations along major corridors, at fuel stations, in residential areas, and within new road projects.
• Standards & Regulatory Clarity: Fast-track approval of pending standards such as LN112, establish clear HS codes for all EV categories, and streamline NTSA and KRA registration processes.
• Consumer Awareness & Skills: Increase public education on EV safety and benefits while investing in TVET training programs for EV repair and maintenance.
• Ecosystem Growth & Finance: Develop EV-specific financing products, protect financiers in cases of company insolvency, and build a coordinated, sustainable ecosystem.

Highlights from Group Discussions

1. Finance Bill 2026 and Tax Incentives

Members emphasized that all existing EV incentives must be retained without exception, noting that removing even one incentive could disrupt the entire EV value chain. There was also strong support for broadening incentive coverage to include trucks, three-wheelers (tuktuks), and passenger cars.

Participants also proposed the development of appropriate Harmonized System (HS) codes for motorcycles, electric bicycles, trucks, and other EV categories, with distinctions between assembled and unassembled units where necessary.

To give investors and industry players greater certainty, members supported the creation of a long-term incentive plan tied to investment roadmaps. The Ministry of Energy, working with the Ministries of Trade and Transport, was identified as a key lead in delivering a substantive e-mobility impact report.

2. National EV Policy and Inclusion

Members called for counties to be more actively engaged in creating seamless permitting processes and enabling charging infrastructure development, supported by a strong national awareness campaign.

Inclusion was another major theme. Participants highlighted the importance of designing EV products and services that are accessible to women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

There was also a proposal to establish an EMAK accountability taskforce to monitor policy delivery, engage key ministries, and maintain a consistent public and media voice on e-mobility issues.

3. Rules, Infrastructure and Financing

Round table participants agreed that tax incentives should play a direct role in reducing the cost of EV acquisition, while charging infrastructure should be embedded into building codes and new road projects.

There was strong recognition that financial institutions need a better understanding of electric mobility. Members noted that EV education and green financing policies are essential to unlocking affordable credit for consumers and businesses.

Participants also argued that EVs should be allowed to grow to critical mass before levies are introduced, with the view that electricity revenue generated through increased EV uptake could offset short-term fiscal gaps.

EMAK was encouraged to demonstrate the broader economic trade-offs and opportunities to government, including reduced fuel import bills, carbon credit opportunities, and local job creation.

Where Members Agree: Key Consensus Points

The round table produced strong consensus around several immediate action areas:

• Maintain all existing EV incentives
• Expand incentives to trucks, PSVs, and three-wheelers
• Develop a 5 to 10-year EV roadmap
• Strengthen charging infrastructure rollout
• Build consumer awareness and workforce skills
• Position EMAK as the unified industry voice
• Promote an inclusive ecosystem for women, youth, and PWDs

Areas Requiring Further Dialogue

While broad agreement was reached on many issues, members identified a few areas that still require further discussion and policy engagement:

• Which ministry should lead the EV agenda: Energy, Transport, or Trade
• Whether charging infrastructure should be mandated or market-driven
• How banks and SACCOs can be incentivized, rather than compelled, to finance EVs
• Safety standards and regulations for home charging
• The role of county governments in enforcement versus facilitation

EMAK Implementation Roadmap (2026 to 2029)

The round table agreed on a phased implementation framework to translate industry priorities into measurable outcomes.

Phase 1: Immediate (0 to 6 Months)

• Submit Finance Bill 2026 proposals
• Form EMAK taskforces
• Engage Treasury, Energy, and Transport ministries
• Resolve NTSA and KRA clearance delays
• Initiate Kenya Power tariff discussions

Expected outputs: Incentives retained in the Finance Bill, active taskforces, and reduced registration delays.

Phase 2: Short Term (3 to 9 Months)

• Publish an EV Whitepaper and Position Paper
• Launch consumer awareness campaigns
• Develop EV financing frameworks
• Roll out TVET pilot programs

Expected outputs: A national EV roadmap, county engagement program, and new financing products.

Phase 3: Medium Term (9 to 18 Months)

• Deploy charging corridors
• Implement HS codes and licensing systems
• Pilot home charging standards
• Expand financing uptake

Expected outputs: Installed charging stations, standardized licensing, and fleet electrification pilots.

Phase 4: Long Term (18 to 36 Months)

• Expand local assembly and manufacturing
• Develop battery recycling systems
• Institutionalize EV policy
• Strengthen regional EV leadership

Expected outputs: Local manufacturing capacity, battery lifecycle systems, and a stable policy framework.

Immediate Quick Wins

The round table identified several actions that can begin immediately:

• Form a dedicated task team to resolve NTSA and KRA clearance bottlenecks
• Open formal discussions with Kenya Power on EV-specific metering and tariffs
• Draft and circulate an EV Safety Communication Framework to the public
• Initiate ministerial engagements across Energy, Transport, and Trade

Call to Action

The round table concluded with a clear mandate: EMAK must serve as the unified, credible voice of Kenya’s electric mobility industry. This includes safeguarding the interests of all members through transparent, fair, and evidence-based engagement with government and other stakeholders, while ensuring that Kenya’s EV transition remains fast, inclusive, and sustainable.

As Kenya’s e-mobility ecosystem continues to grow, the outcomes of this round table provide a practical foundation for policy advocacy, industry coordination, and long-term sector development.

Prepared by Elijah Oduor, EMAK Executive Officer.