By Esther Onyegbula

Pan-African electric vehicle manufacturer, Kemet Automotive, has announced that it is moving into production after securing more than 10,000 pre-orders for its debut set of vehicles, marking one of the strongest early market responses yet recorded for an African-made EV brand.

The company disclosed this recently to pressmen while unveiling its updated design direction as part of its broader vision to redefine sustainable mobility across the continent.

Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Nissi Ogulu, said the surge in pre-orders reflects a growing continental shift towards clean transportation and confidence in Africa’s ability to build competitive automotive solutions.
“Kemet is building vehicles that inspire pride and deliver real performance,” Ogulu said. “We want Africans to see that world-class innovation can come from here, and lead globally.”

Kemet’s design philosophy, known as Functional Sculpting, prioritises durability, emotional appeal and long-lasting form. The vehicles are being engineered specifically for Africa’s diverse terrains and mobility realities, while also reflecting the identity and aspirations of African drivers.

According to the company, its mission goes beyond vehicle assembly. Kemet’s long-term strategy aims to: Create thousands of jobs across manufacturing, supply chain and technology. Drive industrialisation through local production and capability development. Reduce reliance on imported vehicles while strengthening local economies. Advance sustainability via clean-energy mobility that cuts carbon emissions; and build African ownership in the global automotive innovation space.

The company says its vision is to become one of the continent’s first globally competitive automotive manufacturers, demonstrating the potential of African-led innovation at scale.

Industry observers note that the 10,000+ pre-orders mark a significant milestone for Africa’s nascent EV market, where interest has surged due to rising fuel costs, environmental priorities and demand for reliable transportation built to withstand local road conditions.

To reinforce its growth pipeline, Kemet Automotive has entered into a strategic partnership with the Africa Design School (ADS) in Cotonou, Benin. The collaboration will train emerging designers and engineers, expand career pathways in mobility and technology, and strengthen regional design capabilities grounded in African identity.

The company said the partnership is crucial in equipping Africa’s next generation of automotive innovators and positioning the continent for a meaningful role in the global EV industry.

With Africa projected to host 1.4 billion urban residents by 2050, experts say demand for sustainable transportation will expand dramatically. Kemet believes its localisation-driven production model places it at the centre of this multi-billion-dollar opportunity.

As the company advances toward full-scale production, Kemet Automotive said it is in talks with investors and partners aligned with its mission to build clean, connected and future-ready mobility solutions for African markets.