Middle East & Africa:
Electrification Manufacturers
The Middle East & Africa (MENA) region combines two very different electrification trajectories: oil-rich Middle Eastern economies pivoting toward renewable and hydrogen leadership, and African nations advancing from resource extraction to renewable-powered industrialization. Together, they represent both the energy capital and resource foundation of the global clean-energy transition.
This page highlights leading manufacturers, national programs, and emerging industrial corridors shaping MENA’s role in EV, battery, hydrogen, and grid modernization sectors.
Middle East — Energy Transition and Industrial Diversification
The Middle East is leveraging energy wealth to build post-oil economies centered on hydrogen, solar, and advanced manufacturing. Key state-led initiatives include Vision 2030 (Saudi Arabia), UAE Net Zero 2050, and Oman Vision 2040.
| Manufacturer / Project | Country | Sector | Status | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid Motors (PIF / Saudi Arabia) | Saudi Arabia | EV assembly | Operational / expansion | Lucid’s KAEC plant serves as Saudi Arabia’s first luxury EV factory; supported by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). |
| NEOM Green Hydrogen Company | Saudi Arabia | green hydrogen, ammonia | Under construction | Flagship $8.4B renewable-powered hydrogen project linking solar, wind, and ammonia export facilities. |
| Masdar Clean Energy | United Arab Emirates | solar, wind, hydrogen | Operational | UAE’s global clean-energy investment arm; building solar and hydrogen projects across MENA and Asia. |
| ACWA Power | Saudi Arabia | renewables, hydrogen | Operational / expansion | Developing gigawatt-scale solar, hydrogen, and desalination projects under Vision 2030 framework. |
| Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | UAE | EV charging, solar grid | Operational | Deploying “EV Green Charger” network and operating MBR Solar Park—the world’s largest single-site solar farm. |
| Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) / Hyport Duqm | Oman | green hydrogen | Under development | Joint renewable-hydrogen venture leveraging Oman’s wind and solar resources for export markets. |
| Israel Electric Corporation | Israel | grid modernization, EVSE | Operational | Integrating smart grids and expanding EV charging to support national transport electrification. |
Africa — Resource Base and Renewable Growth
African nations are key suppliers of the minerals and renewable potential that underpin global EV and battery manufacturing. While industrial electrification remains nascent, major advances in mining, processing, and renewable microgrids are reshaping the region’s trajectory.
| Manufacturer / Project | Country | Sector | Status | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congo Copperbelt (Ivanhoe Mines / Glencore) | DR Congo / Zambia | copper, cobalt mining | Operational / expansion | World’s largest cobalt region powering global battery-material supply. |
| Desert to Power Initiative | Sahel region | solar, grid electrification | Under development | African Development Bank-led program aiming to supply 10 GW of solar power across 11 countries. |
| Kibali Gold Mine (Barrick) | DR Congo | hydropower, industrial electrification | Operational | Integrating hydropower for mining operations—early model for renewable industrial supply. |
| Morocco Noor Solar Complex | Morocco | CSP, solar PV | Operational | Iconic large-scale solar facility exporting clean power to the EU grid. |
| South Africa Automotive Production (Ford / VW / BMW) | South Africa | EV assembly | Transitioning | OEMs converting lines for EV and hybrid production to meet EU import standards. |
| Africa Green Minerals Alliance (AGMA) | Pan-African | critical materials cooperation | Formed 2023 | New platform aligning lithium, nickel, and cobalt producers across Africa for local beneficiation. |
| Kenya EV Assemblers Association | Kenya | EV assembly, 2/3-wheelers | Operational | Local startups producing affordable electric motorcycles and minibuses powered by renewables. |
Hydrogen, Renewables, and Cross-Regional Integration
- Hydrogen corridors: Linking Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Egypt, and Morocco with EU import markets.
- Interconnectors: Egypt–Saudi Arabia and Morocco–Spain HVDC projects exporting renewable electricity.
- Industrial parks: Emerging in UAE, Egypt, and South Africa to localize EV and component manufacturing.
- Regional financing: IRENA, IFC, and AfDB funding BESS and microgrid deployments for industrial and rural power.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Differing maturity levels: Gulf states lead in capital investment, Africa leads in resource endowment.
- Infrastructure gaps: African grid and logistics limitations constrain EV adoption and manufacturing scale.
- Workforce development: Growing need for skilling programs in renewable O&M, battery assembly, and EV service.
- Localization potential: MENA emerging as a major exporter of green hydrogen, ammonia, and refined battery materials.