High-Level Event: Pathways to Advancing E-mobility in Africa

Africa stands at a critical juncture, where decoupling economic growth from rising emissions is essential. Transport is central to the continent’s sustainable development, particularly in the context of rapid urbanisation, population growth, and the increasing impacts of climate change. With motorisation still relatively low, electric mobility offers a unique opportunity to leapfrog the internal combustion engine and pursue green growth. It also represents a dynamic and expanding market. Unlocking these benefits, however, requires informed decision-making and strategic action.
Over the past two years, the Rethinking Transport Initiative by GIZ and Agora Verkehrswende has brought together African stakeholders from academia, civil society, and the private sector to identify key strategies and opportunities for action to advance sustainable transport across the continent. A central outcome of these exchanges has been a shared focus on electric mobility as a transformative lever for climate action and green development. At least 15 African countries are now developing or implementing e-mobility policies and strategies, with Ethiopia even banning the import of internal combustion engine vehicles.
Against this backdrop, the event aims to deepen the dialogue on enabling pathways for electric mobility in Africa and to reflect on the role Europe, and Germany in particular, can play in this process. It will present the strategic opportunities for action identified through recent expert discussions and explore how to build just, effective, and forward-looking transport systems together.