The Kenyan government has officially launched a new distinctive green number plate for electric vehicles (EVs), marking a symbolic and practical step in the country’s shift toward sustainable transport.

The initiative was unveiled yesterday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir.

Representing President William Ruto, Mr Chirchir also introduced a new national e-mobility policy framework designed to transform Kenya into a regional hub for the assembly and manufacturing of electric motors.

Currently, there are over 24,000 electric vehicles on Kenyan roads. The government has now urged these owners to begin the process of replacing their standard plates with the new green versions.

Addressing the logistics of the rollout, Mr Chirchir explained that the transition would be “progressive” due to the complexities of manufacturing.

“You know number plates are only 3,000 shillings,” he noted. “There’s the cost of production; the materials are not available for producing number plates. So we’ll ask those of us who are on EV vehicles to progressively move to green number plates.”

While some had hoped for immediate financial perks, the Cabinet Secretary clarified that the primary benefit for now is visibility, stating that the plates provide “good optics for our country” and help citizens appreciate the direction of national progress.

“So we will be launching the green number plate for all the electric vehicles. This will be the signature for those of us supporting the reduction of carbon footprints,” he added.

Delayed after its 2024 introduction by former CS Kipchumba Murkomen, the green plate program is specific to eco-friendly transport; internal combustion engine vehicles will not be required to switch.

The unveiling of the new number plates coincided with the launch of a comprehensive e-mobility policy frameworks designed to establish a robust legal and institutional framework for accelerating electric vehicle adoption across Kenya.

This strategic roadmap aims to significantly boost local industry by prioritising the manufacturing and assembly of electric motors, while simultaneously expanding the national network of charging stations and technical support services.

To ensure long-term sustainability, the policy introduces enhanced fiscal and non-fiscal measures specifically tailored to attract international partnerships and strategic investment into the country’s growing green energy value chain.Africa’s growing EV market.

Principal Secretary for Roads and Transport, Mohamed Daghar revealed that Kenya’s electric vehicle (EV) sector saw a massive surge in growth, with total registrations reaching 24,754 by the close of December 2025.

According to Mr. Daghar, the government is prioritizing this transition as a core strategy for environmental sustainability, aiming to slash greenhouse gas emissions by aggressively decarbonizing the nation’s transport industry.

Furthermore, he noted that the newly launched e-mobility policy acts as a strategic blueprint to build local expertise and technical skills throughout the entire electric vehicle supply chain.

The timing of the policy is significant, as the electric vehicle market across major African economies is projected to grow by 27% over the next 15 years.

Currently, Kenya—alongside Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda—accounts for 60% of all electric vehicle sales in sub-Saharan Africa.

Analysts believe Kenya is uniquely positioned to lead this race. The country’s energy grid is already remarkably clean, with 93% of its “baseload” power coming from renewable sources like hydro, geothermal, and wind.

Furthermore, with a lower total cost of ownership compared to petrol vehicles, Kenya is expected to see sales reach between 42,000 and 70,000 units by 2030.

By establishing these new frameworks, the government hopes to solidify Kenya’s status as a “key regional e-mobility hub,” attracting the necessary investment to power a greener future for the continent.