SolarTaxi Has Expanded Manufacturing Hub in Ghana
The company aims to scale electric vehicle production despite hurdles in meeting regional trade origin requirements.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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SolarTaxi is scaling its electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Prampram, Ghana, to increase annual production capacity to 5,000 units. The company currently manages a $179 million order pipeline while navigating complex African Continental Free Trade Area content regulations.
Why it matters
Local assembly allows SolarTaxi to deliver vehicles in weeks rather than months and offer prices 30% to 40% lower than imports. Meeting trade origin thresholds is critical for the company to maintain its competitive advantage across regional markets.
SolarTaxi is backed by an $8.35 million asset-financing facility from Ecobank and a $4.5 million investment project. The operation currently utilizes four production lines to build cars, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and 40-seat buses.
The players
SolarTaxi
This electric vehicle manufacturer operates a plant in Prampram, Ghana, and produces a variety of vehicles including buses and two-wheelers.
Jorge Appiah
He is the founder of SolarTaxi who helped launch the company in 2018.
John Dramani Mahama
He is the President of Ghana who recently announced plans for local production thresholds for automotive VAT exemptions.
Ecobank
This pan-African banking conglomerate provided the $8.35 million asset-financing facility that supports SolarTaxi vehicle purchases.
The details
SolarTaxi is working to source more components domestically to meet the 40% African-originating content threshold set by the AfCFTA. To support these efforts, Togo and Benin have introduced near-total customs duty reductions for electric vehicles throughout 2026.
Timeline
SolarTaxi was founded by Jorge Appiah in 2018.
AU heads approved common rules for automotive products on February 14-15, 2026.
Benin implemented a 99% customs reduction for electric vehicles for the 2026 calendar year.
President John Dramani Mahama announced local production threshold plans on September 15, 2026.
SolarTaxi outlined its expansion goals during a session in Accra on September 23, 2026.
Roadmap
SolarTaxi is attempting to pivot from an import-dependent model to a regional manufacturing leader under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area. This shift mirrors broader efforts across the continent to build automotive self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on Asian supply chains.
Local assembly allows customers to receive their vehicles within one to two weeks, a significant improvement over the typical three-month wait for imports. Buyers can also access vehicles priced 30% to 40% lower than traditional imported models due to local manufacturing incentives.
The takeaway
SolarTaxi demonstrates that regional trade agreements are acting as a primary catalyst for local vehicle assembly in Africa. Buyers looking for electric transport in the region should expect shorter lead times as more manufacturers localize their production lines.
Further reading
For more on the industry's shift toward regional production, see our coverage on Electric Vehicles.
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Should nations prioritize local assembly to lower the cost of electric vehicles for their citizens?
