In a groundbreaking move for the African automotive industry, Kemet Automotive, a visionary Pan-African electric vehicle (EV) company co-founded by Nissi Ogulu, was prominently featured in a recent Top Gear article. The article explores the future of EVs in Africa, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Nissi, co-founder and co-CEO of Kemet Automotive, brings a wealth of experience to the table, having been part of the Jaguar Land Rover engineering team that designed the fifth-generation Range Rover. In the Top Gear interview, her passion for electric vehicles is evident. She emphasises Kemet Automotive’s mission to deliver sustainable and affordable electric mobility solutions not just for Africa, but for the world.
Kemet Automotive is poised to disrupt the EV market in Africa by manufacturing its vehicles locally. This eliminates the hefty import taxes that often inflate the prices of EVs, making them more accessible to a wider range of customers. Nissi highlights plans to establish manufacturing plants in Nigeria and Benin, with ambitions to expand further as demand grows.
While Kemet doesn’t have production models on the road yet, their vision is already taking shape with six concept vehicles. These include the futuristic Gezo tricycle, the compact Nandi SUV, the luxurious Mansa SUV, a high-performance GT, and even a spacious shuttle bus.
Recognising the importance of charging infrastructure, Kemet Automotive is actively forging partnerships with specialists, SMEs, and other EV manufacturers. Nissi emphasises its progress in this area, with two established partnerships with EV manufacturers in Europe and Asia.
“We are working on creating as many alliances as we can. We already have traction in that space and have established two partnerships with EV Manufacturing in Europe and Asia… So it’s just about rolling it out,” – Nissi Ogulu, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Kemet Automotive
Kemet’s first car, launching in Q1 2027, boasts an impressive range of up to 500km on a single charge, putting it on par with leading luxury EVs. Additionally, with a targeted base price of €25,000 (around R506,280), Kemet is poised to offer the most affordable electric car ever seen in South Africa.
“Besides our cars being affordable, we do want to create a product that is of high quality and robust to be able to accommodate our African terrain. We have considered affordability. It is one of our pillars. It’s one of our targets, and we will ensure that the African market can purchase our vehicles.” – Nissi Ogulu, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Kemet Automotive
The production of EVs in Africa by Kemet Automotive is a significant development. It not only promises to reduce the cost of electric cars but also paves the way for a cleaner, greener future for the continent. This move also underscores the growing interest in the EV market in Africa, positioning Kemet Automotive as a frontrunner in this exciting revolution.