Pan-African electric vehicle maker Kemet Automotive says it is advancing towards full-scale production of its revised design after receiving over 10,000 pre-orders from customers across the continent.
The company, in a statement on Tuesday, said the announcement marks a step in the company’s push to reshape Africa’s mobility landscape with vehicles built by Africans, for Africans.
For Kemet, the journey is more than manufacturing; it is about proving that global-standard innovation springs from African soil.
Co-founder of the company, Nissi Ogulu, said, “Kemet is building vehicles that inspire pride and deliver real performance. We want Africans to see that world-class innovation can come from here and lead globally.”
At the heart of the company’s new design direction is a philosophy the company calls Functional Sculpting. Led by Ogulu, the approach blends durability with emotional appeal, creating vehicles that reflect the resilience, identity, and aspirations of African drivers. The cars are engineered to handle the continent’s diverse and often challenging terrains without compromising style.
Kemet’s mission extends beyond vehicle production. Its strategy focuses on “building thousands of jobs across manufacturing, supply chain, and technology; driving industrialisation through localised production and capability building; strengthening the African economy by reducing reliance on imported vehicles; advancing sustainability with clean energy transportation that reduces emissions; and creating ownership of Africa’s future in global automotive innovation.”
Kemet is also aiming to become one of the continent’s first globally competitive automotive manufacturers, a demonstration of what is possible when Africa builds for itself.
The wave of more than 10,000 pre-orders received shortly after unveiling its first vehicle design signals rising consumer confidence and a growing appetite for sustainable transportation solutions made on the continent.
To build the talent pipeline needed for long-term growth, Kemet has entered into a partnership with Africa Design School in Cotonou, Benin Republic. The collaboration, the company said, “will train young designers and engineers, open new career paths in mobility and technology, and reinforce Africa’s design capability. It also places African creativity at the centre of the emerging global EV market.”
Ogulu added, “With the continent’s urban population expected to reach 1.4bn by 2050, demand for reliable, eco-friendly transportation is set to surge. Kemet believes its localised production model positions it perfectly to meet that demand and lead a multi-billion-dollar industry from within Africa.”
