Project Background
The transition to electric mobility (e-mobility) in Kenya holds transformative potential, not just for reducing emissions, but also for addressing gender inequality. The transport sector contributes approximately 13% of the country’s total emissions, projected to rise with sector growth, but electrification could mitigate up to 629,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030, aligning with Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) goal of reducing transport emissions by 3.46 metric tons of CO2.
Women’s economic participation, especially in emerging sectors like e-mobility, has the potential to foster socio-economic growth while driving environmental sustainability. Despite accounting for a significant share of the labor force, Kenyan women are underrepresented in high-growth sectors such as technology and transportation. Globally, women comprise of only 12% of the transportation workforce, with stark disparities across subsectors: 5% in land transport, 10% in water transport, 21% in warehousing and transportation support activities, and 38% in aviation. The e-mobility sector, particularly with the increasing use of electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws) and three-wheelers (e-3Ws), offers a unique opportunity to bridge this gap.
With Kenya’s urbanization rate increasing and the government committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, e-mobility is becoming a strategic priority. The Draft National E-Mobility Policy, launched in 2024, provides a comprehensive framework to guide this transition across all transportation modes, including road, rail, air, and maritime.
It emphasizes the development of charging infrastructure, local manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs), and financial incentives to encourage adoption. The policy aligns with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) under the Fourth Medium-Term Plan (2023-2027) and aims to position the country as a leader in e-mobility within Africa. By addressing challenges such as reliance on imported fuels and high emissions, while also integrating socioeconomic measures like gender inclusivity and youth empowerment, the policy underscores e-mobility’s role in achieving sustainable urban growth and national climate goals.
In this context, ACTS in collaboration with Coventry U and KCCI are implementing a project, titled “The Transformative Power of Electric Mobility Technology in Kenya: Understanding and Empowering Women Entrepreneurs”. The project aims to harness this opportunity by creating an inclusive pathway for women entrepreneurs in Kenya’s burgeoning e-mobility sector.
Project Objectives
Investigate Barriers to Women’s Participation in E-mobility
The project seeks to identify and analyze the specific barriers that women face in integrating into the e-mobility sector. These include:
- Financial Constraints: Understanding how limited access to financing affects women’s ability to engage as entrepreneurs or consumers within the e-mobility market.
- Technical Skills Gaps: Assessing the existing skill gaps that hinder women’s participation in technical roles and entrepreneurship in e-mobility.
- Cultural and Societal Norms: Exploring how gender biases and societal expectations impact women’s mobility choices and their roles within the industry.
Explore Opportunities for wider Engagement of Women in E-mobility
The project will uncover opportunities that could facilitate greater integration of women in the e-mobility sector, such as:
- Entrepreneurial Avenues: Identifying potential business models and niches within the e-mobility ecosystem that could be particularly beneficial for women entrepreneurs.
- Policy Recommendations: Gathering insights that can inform policy changes aimed at creating a more inclusive environment for women in e-mobility, including gender-responsive policies.
- Best Practices from Successful Models: Analyzing case studies of successful women-led initiatives in e-mobility, such as E-Safiri, which emphasize women’s involvement in the value chain.
Generate Insights for Policy and Practice
The ultimate goal of this research is to generate actionable insights that can be disseminated to stakeholders, including policymakers and industry leaders, to inform future interventions. Encouraging collaboration among various stakeholders, including government entities, private sector players, and non-profits, to create a supportive ecosystem for women in e-mobility. This might involve:
- Building Networks: Establishing networks that connect women entrepreneurs with resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities.
- Creating Awareness Campaigns: Developing campaigns that highlight the importance of gender inclusivity in the e-mobility transition.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Conducting gender-disaggregated data collection to better understand women’s roles and challenges in the e-mobility sector.
- Knowledge Dissemination: Sharing findings through reports, workshops, and stakeholder meetings to ensure that insights reach those who can enact change.
These policies will aim to facilitate access to funding, resources, and networks that can help women entrepreneurs succeed in e-mobility.
Expected Outcomes and Long- term Impact
In terms of emissions reduction, the project’s potential is significant. By supporting the adoption of electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, the project contributes to Kenya’s climate goals as outlined in the NDC. Over a ten-year period, the project is expected to contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, while also creating green jobs and fostering industrial growth in the e-vehicle assembly and manufacturing sectors.
For women entrepreneurs, the long-term impact will extend beyond immediate business growth. By equipping women with the skills, resources, and networks they need, the project aims to elevate their participation in the e-mobility sector, positioning them as leaders in Kenya’s transition to a green economy. Over time, this will contribute to the broader goals of gender equality and socio-economic development in Kenya, as outlined in the country’s Vision 2030 plan.
Active Project: 2024- 2026
Program Contact Persons
Ann Kingiri: a.kingiri@acts-net.org
Esin Yoruk: ac1002@coventry.ac.uk
Ernest Chitechi: echitechi@kenyacic.org
Funders
