Why Chinese EVs Are Booming in Africa and the Middle East in 2026

China exported 349,000 electric vehicles in March 2026 alone — a 140% jump year on year and the highest monthly total ever recorded. The driver is straightforward: oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel following disruptions to Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes, and buyers across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia are rethinking their fuel costs.

For importers in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, the UAE, and Central Asia, the maths is changing fast. At $100+ oil, the running-cost gap between a petrol vehicle and an EV widens dramatically. Chinese manufacturers — BYD, Geely, Chery, and others — are producing EVs at price points that make them genuinely competitive with used petrol imports for the first time.

That said, the EV opportunity is not uniform across all markets. Charging infrastructure remains limited across much of Sub-Saharan Africa, which is why petrol and hybrid vehicles continue to dominate import demand in those markets. For buyers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Gulf states where grid infrastructure is established, the case for Chinese EVs is much stronger.

At Autoimport Africa, much of our current sourcing focuses on quality used petrol and hybrid vehicles — the proven choice for markets where EV infrastructure is still developing — but we are tracking the EV shift closely. If you are importing into a market with reliable charging access and want to explore EV options from China, our team can source them directly.

Tell us about your market’s specific requirements and we will advise on the right powertrain and the best-value models to import. Get started at autoimport.africa.