Uganda reaffirms commitment to green industrialisation as Kiira Motors announces second e-Mobility Expo

July 31, 2025 in Business, Companies, Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Transport by Editor

Uganda’s e-mobility pathfinder enterprise Kiira Motors Corporation KMC, has launched the second edition of the National E-Mobility Expo, affirming its ambition to become a continental leader in sustainable mobility and industrial innovation.  This year’s edition is set for September 18-19, at the KMC plant in Jinja.

The launch event, held at the Next Media Park in Kampala July 30, was officiated by Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, and attended by local and international stakeholders from government, industry, academia and the diplomatic community.

The 2025 E-Mobility Expo builds on momentum from last year’s inaugural event, positioning Uganda’s electric mobility ambitions as a central pillar of the country’s wider industrial transformation agenda.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Musenero said Uganda was determined not to be left behind in the current wave of industrial innovation. She noted that while the country—and much of Africa—had been left on the sidelines during earlier industrial revolutions, it was now seizing the opportunity presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution to build new capacity and reshape its economy.

“This Expo is a proclamation of Uganda’s bold commitment to sustainable innovation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth,” Dr. Musenero said. “It is here that we showcase our transformative journey, from promise to impact in the economy, as we elevate homegrown solutions and position Uganda at the forefront of Africa’s green mobility movement.”

The government’s strategy, she said, is rooted in building a robust and coordinated e-mobility ecosystem backed by policy incentives, infrastructure investments, human capital development, and targeted industrial partnerships. To date, the sector has attracted $160 million in investment with an additional $800 million in commitments, placing the country on track to hit its $1 billion e-mobility investment target by 2030.

Uganda’s approach to e-mobility is structured around two objectives: developing new economic sectors based on cutting-edge science and technology, and adding value to traditional sectors by embedding industrial capacity. The automotive industry, with its deep linkages across manufacturing, electronics, and services, is viewed as a strategic entry point into advanced industrial activity.

“We are working to ensure Uganda becomes a net source, rather than merely a consumer, of electric mobility solutions in Africa,” Dr. Musenero emphasized.

Already, institutions such as Kiira Motors Corporation and the Mobility Bureau under the STI Secretariat are leading the charge, supported by public-private partnerships and incentives such as tax exemptions and the development of charging and manufacturing infrastructure.

Dr. Musenero also acknowledged the contribution of development partners including UNDP and GIZ in supporting human capital development tailored to electric mobility, notably through engineering training centres designed to equip Ugandans with skills across the value chain.

This year’s Expo is supported by several key partners including Kiira Motors Corporation, E-Bus Xpress, the Government Citizens Interaction Centre, and the Presidential CEO Forum.

“The automotive sector is not just about vehicles—it is about catalysing a broad-based industrial ecosystem,” Dr. Musenero concluded. “Through this Expo, we invite the nation and our partners to engage, invest, and co-create a future driven by innovation and sustainability.”

The E-Mobility Expo 2025 is expected to serve as a national platform for showcasing Uganda’s progress in green mobility, attracting investment, and deepening collaboration across sectors as the country pursues its goal of a $550 billion economy.