Rideence Inks KSh 320M Deal with AVA to Kickstart Local Electric Vehicle Assembly in Mombasa
Rideence Africa Limited has announced a KSh 320 million partnership with Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) to commence the local assembly of electric vehicles (EVs) in Mombasa.
The ambitious project, which officially kicked off this week, aims to assemble 152 electric units from Completely Knocked-Down (CKD) kits by the end of February 2026. The initial batch will consist of 132 units of the popular Henrey taxi model and 20 Joylong electric high-roof matatus.
From Import to Local Production This strategic shift marks a major evolution for Rideence. Since 2023, the company has invested over KSh 1.4 billion in the Kenyan market, deploying over 180 fully-built EVs imported from China. By transitioning to local assembly, Rideence is moving from being a fleet operator to a primary manufacturer.
“Our vision is to become a leading new energy mobility enterprise ‘Born in Kenya, Serving Africa’,” said Minnan Yu, Managing Director of Rideence Africa Limited. “We are moving beyond importing solutions to co-creating them locally, building an ecosystem that addresses Kenya’s specific challenges, from fuel price volatility to the need for skilled jobs.”
Economic Impact: 3,000 New Jobs The investment is expected to be a significant driver for the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” initiative. While Rideence has already created nearly 700 direct jobs, the new assembly phase is projected to catalyze over 3,000 additional direct and indirect roles across supply chains, charging infrastructure, and maintenance services.
The partnership also targets a bold localization roadmap. Rideence aims to source 15–25% of vehicle components locally in the short term, with a long-term goal of reaching 40–60% Kenyan content.
The Economics of Going Green For Kenyan drivers, the shift to electric is proving to be a game-changer for the bottom line. Under Rideence’s lease-to-drive model, drivers pay KSh 2,400 per day for a Henrey EV. Crucially, charging costs for a 200km range average just KSh 400—a staggering 80% saving compared to the KSh 2,000 required for petrol to cover the same distance.
To support the growing fleet, Rideence plans to scale its charging network from 16 stations to 100 locations nationwide by the end of 2026.
A Milestone for Kenyan Industry AVA, a subsidiary of Simba Corp and a leader in the regional automotive sector, will host Kenya’s first dedicated EV assembly line through this deal.
“This partnership demonstrates clearly that the country has the capacity and capability to assemble EVs locally at scale,” said Matt Lloyd, Managing Director of AVA. “We are accelerating the transition to affordable, low-emission transport while strengthening Kenya’s industrial base.”
Beyond the factory floor, Rideence is looking toward the future of the workforce. The company is currently in talks with the University of Nairobi to launch dedicated EV technology programs, ensuring that the next generation of Kenyan engineers is equipped to lead the continent’s green mobility revolution.
