At the 20th CII India Africa Business Conclave, Nishant Arya, Vice Chairman of JBM Group, set the tone for the session on Driving Africa’s Future with Affordable and Sustainable Mobility Solutions. Moderating the discussion, Arya emphasised that mobility is not just a means of transport but the lifeline of the entire EV ecosystem.
“Mobility, immediately after critical minerals, is at the heart of the EV ecosystem. It connects the dots—technology, infrastructure, policy, and people,” he said, highlighting why the subject is both urgent and transformative for Africa.
Africa at the Cusp of a Revolution
Arya underlined that Africa is uniquely positioned to leapfrog into clean and modern transport solutions. Unlike other regions weighed down by legacy systems, Africa has the advantage of starting afresh.
“Africa is at the cusp of a mobility revolution… It has the unique opportunity to embrace affordable, clean, and future-ready solutions without being held back by outdated models,” he observed.
Across the continent, encouraging developments are already visible. South Africa today has over 400 public EV charging stations. Kenya has mandated EV-ready infrastructure in at least 5% of parking spaces in new developments. Egypt is rapidly expanding its charging network, adding more than 230 stations in one phase. According to Arya, these steps show that governments and entrepreneurs are laying strong foundations for large-scale adoption of green mobility.
Lessons from India’s EV Journey
Drawing parallels from India’s experience, Arya stressed that Africa need not “reinvent the wheel.” India’s EV journey—powered by government initiatives like FAME I and II, PM e-Drive, and PM e-Bus Sewa—has already created a robust ecosystem of R&D, IP ownership, and localised manufacturing.
“Over the last decade, India has built a thriving green mobility framework. Africa can build on this experience, while tailoring solutions to its own local contexts,” he remarked.
The Five Ps Framework
To provide a clear roadmap, Arya introduced what he termed the “Five Ps”—a holistic framework for shaping Africa’s sustainable mobility future. He highlighted the importance of developing platforms tailored to Africa’s needs, particularly affordable, efficient, and adaptable EV platforms supported by local manufacturing, innovation hubs, and R&D centres. Equally critical, he stressed, is power, where decentralised renewable-based solutions can play a transformative role. With storage systems and micro-grids, Africa can rapidly expand off-grid solar charging in remote areas, building on initiatives like the Africa Mini-Grids Program.
He further highlighted the role of people, noting that Africa’s youth are eager to learn, absorb, and lead, and that linking Indian technical institutions with African universities can help create a skilled workforce equipped for the future. The question of payment, Arya explained, is central to democratizing access, with green financing, pay-as-you-go models, and robust digital payment systems ensuring inclusivity at scale, especially at a time when global funds view Africa as a promising impact economy. Above all, he underscored the importance of partnerships, pointing to the International Solar Alliance as a model of strong India–Africa collaboration that can advance joint policy, research, and sustainable growth.
Africa’s Strong Starting Point
According to Arya, Africa today is in an even stronger position than India was when it began its EV journey in 2015. Rising fuel costs in some countries, limited access to conventional transport in rural areas, and vast renewable energy potential make the case for green mobility even stronger. “Africa can create a green-from-generation-to-consumption mobility model that inspires the world,” Arya said confidently.
Building Futures, Not Just Vehicles
Closing his remarks, Arya emphasised that the opportunity goes beyond technology and transport—it is about dignity, opportunity, and shared prosperity.
“Together, India and Africa can build not just vehicles, but futures—futures powered by clean, affordable, and sustainable mobility,” he concluded, setting the stage for a high-impact discussion.
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