By Abbas Nazil
Electric buses are becoming increasingly common across Africa’s major cities as governments and private operators push for greener public transport systems.
Research and Markets reported in its July 2025 Africa Electric Bus Market Outlook that the continent’s electric bus market was valued at approximately $1.60 billion in 2024.
The sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.10% between 2025 and 2034, reaching $5.98 billion by 2034.
Battery electric vehicles are projected to dominate Africa’s electric bus market, offering advantages over plug-in hybrid and fuel cell alternatives.
According to Research and Markets, battery electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions and reduce operational costs, making them attractive to governments and operators.
The presence of global manufacturers and their commitment to expanding electric bus deployment is also driving growth.
South Africa is anticipated to play a leading role in the market due to government support for connectivity and cost-efficient, environmentally friendly transport solutions.
Golden Arrow Bus Services in Cape Town has already deployed 20 electric buses, with 100 more expected by the end of 2025.
Electric buses also offer economic benefits such as creating local jobs and enabling responsive driving with maximum torque, further boosting demand.
In Egypt, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has provided a €10.6 million loan to Go Bus for Transport, the country’s first privately owned inter-city bus company, to expand its fleet with 30 electric buses, six electric micro-buses, and three other electric vehicles.
The loan includes EU-backed risk cover and technical cooperation for governance, alongside training for drivers to address gender-based violence and improve passenger safety.
Go Bus, established in 1998, serves nearly 1.9 million passengers annually across 29 routes, and the new electric fleet is expected to enhance sustainability and reduce emissions.
Across the continent, several countries are taking bold steps in e-bus deployment.
Ethiopia has introduced about 100 locally assembled electric buses for Addis Ababa’s BRT corridors, while Kenya and Rwanda’s start-up BasiGo has scaled quickly to commercial operations with around 100 buses in service.
In Senegal, Dakar’s BRT project will use 144 articulated electric buses, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Abidjan is planning more than 100 e-buses for its rollout.
Ghana has inaugurated its first batch of 10 e-buses under a national mobility roadmap, and Nigeria has begun trials with 50 electric buses in Lagos through partnerships with LAMATA and Oando Clean Energy.
Morocco and Tunisia are also advancing procurement plans, with tenders and government incentives aimed at scaling electrification over the next decade.
Research and Markets highlighted that the lack of a continental registry makes precise counts difficult, but confirmed that hundreds of e-buses are already operating across Africa, with commitments for thousands more in the coming years.
This momentum signals a growing continental shift toward sustainable urban transport, with Africa positioning itself as a key player in the global electric mobility transition.
