Chinese Electric Bike Imports Across Africa Rise 60%

Africa’s imports of Chinese electric motorcycles and three-wheelers rose 60% to $114.6 million in the first half of 2026, highlighting the growing shift from gasoline-powered transport. Morocco led with 80,188 imported vehicles worth $21.7 million, followed by Egypt and Algeria, while South Africa recorded the highest imports in sub-Saharan Africa. North African consumers primarily use electric scooters and mopeds for commuting, whereas riders in East and West Africa more often use electric motorcycles commercially to carry passengers and goods. Investments are expanding in local assembly, battery-swapping systems and charging networks, which could help adapt Chinese-made vehicles to intensive commercial use and reduce fuel consumption and urban pollution. However, import figures track vehicles entering countries and may not reflect how many are ultimately registered or put into service.