By Mirriam Kaliza
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturing giant Tiazhou Okla Automotive Company, also known as Okla Global, has engaged Treadway Investment Bank, a Hong Kong headquartered global investment firm, to drive its expansion into Africa, with Zimbabwe identified as a key regional manufacturing hub and Malawi positioned as a potential beneficiary within the Southern African market.
Okla Global believes the partnership will facilitate engagement with African governments and private sector players to support the rollout of electric vehicles, manufacturing plants, and related infrastructure across the continent.
Under the expansion plan, the company intends to establish manufacturing and assembly plants in Zimbabwe and South Africa, which will serve the SADC region, including Malawi, through regional trade and distribution networks. The firm is also planning similar facilities in Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt to serve West, East, and North Africa, respectively.
Reacting to the development, Ministry of Transport Public Relations Officer, Watson Maingo, said Malawi welcomes the advancement in electric vehicle technology because the country has to move with global technological breakthroughs.
He added that government is already laying the groundwork to support the adoption of electric vehicles in Malawi.
“We are currently working on regulations and protocols that will facilitate the easy importing and use of electric vehicles once the technology is fully adopted in the country,” he said.
The entry of Okla Global comes at a time when Chinese automobile manufacturers are rapidly increasing their presence in Africa, particularly in the electric and hybrid vehicle segment.
Over the past five years, Chinese firms such as BYD, Chery, BAIC, GAC Motor, and XPENG have expanded into African markets, targeting vehicle sales, local assembly, and partnerships with governments as countries seek affordable and cleaner transport solutions.
Industry analysts say rising fuel costs, environmental concerns, and regional industrialisation efforts are driving the growing interest in electric vehicles across Southern Africa.
