Africa E-Mobility: Stellenbosch Forum Calls for Accelerated Investments, Industrialization, Innovation, and Regional Cooperation

The African E-Mobility Forum (AEWF2026) was held from September 28 to 30, 2026 in Stellenbosch, South Africa, under the theme "From African Strategy to Action," bringing together governments, donors, and businesses alongside the African Union Commission, UNEP, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the Africa E-Mobility Alliance, co-organizers of the event, according to the ECA. Yohannes Hailu, acting head of the ECA's Connectivity and Infrastructure section, set four priorities: local manufacturing and regional electric vehicle value chains, charging infrastructure, financing and incentives, and skills and innovation. He proposed a pan-African electric vehicle observatory to monitor adoption, energy demand, environmental impacts, and jobs. Placide Badji, ECA transport specialist, called for the enforcement of UN Regulation No. 100 on the safety of electric powertrain systems, including protection against high-voltage risks and acoustic vehicle alert systems for pedestrians. The Joint Declaration resulting from the forum calls for the harmonization of standards on batteries, charging systems, and payment interoperability, the regulation of second-hand electric vehicle imports and battery recycling, as well as the mobilization of the AfCFTA to build competitive regional value chains. A continental database on e-mobility was also requested.