BYD, Tsapo Group Seal Deal To Assemble Electric Vehicles In Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is set to take a major step towards electric vehicle manufacturing after Chinese automotive giant Build Your Dreams (BYD) partnered with Tsapo Group.

The agreement will introduce local assembly of electric vehicles and buses while equipping Zimbabweans with specialised automotive skills.

The partnership was announced in Harare during the launch of BYD’s new Atto 8 electric vehicle last week.

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Bus Assembly To Start

According to The Herald, the project will initially focus on assembling buses before expanding into electric vehicles and earth-moving machinery.

A structured skills transfer programme will run for between 12 and 24 months.

Skills Audit and Development Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the programme would expose Zimbabweans to advanced automotive and electric vehicle technology.

“This also becomes one of the institutions where Zimbabweans are in a position to acquire a lot of knowledge and skills in terms of electrical vehicles, in terms of the automotive industry,” he said.

The programme is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s industrial capacity while creating a pool of workers equipped for the emerging electric mobility sector.

Government Eyes Local Manufacturing

Muswere said the partnership supports the Government’s industrialisation strategy through innovation, value addition and skills development.

He said the deal also reflects Zimbabwe’s broader economic cooperation with China.

“The signing of the agreement between BYD China and Tsapo is also a part of the re-engagement strategy in terms of the economic trust between Zimbabwean-owned institutions and Chinese-owned institutions,” he said.

The Government also expects the project to contribute to the beneficiation of Zimbabwe’s lithium resources.

Muswere said the initiative could eventually expand beyond assembly into broader manufacturing.

The long-term objective is for Zimbabwe to progress from assembling vehicles to producing electric vehicles, buses and heavy machinery as an original equipment manufacturer.

Charging Network Planned

Tsapo Group chief executive Dr Patrick Masocha said charging infrastructure would be critical to the success of electric vehicles in Zimbabwe.

He called for policies that would encourage rapid development of charging facilities across the country.

Masocha suggested requiring fuel stations to install electric vehicle charging points.

“I would like to adopt a policy where the Government would say at every service station, it is mandated that we should have a charging station for EVs,” he said.

He believes such a move would improve public confidence and encourage more motorists to switch to electric vehicles.