As a way of accelerating the transition toward sustainable mobility in Kenya and Africa at large, Chinese electric vehicle powerhouse Tiazhou Okla Automotive Co., popularly known as Okla Global, has announced a landmark partnership with Hong Kong–headquartered Treadway Investment Bank to spearhead its expansion into Africa’s rapidly growing automotive market.
Okla Global, which has built a strong reputation in scaling international operations, has engaged Treadway to provide investment banking and corporate finance advisory services to support its ambitious Africa growth strategy.
The partnership is expected to strengthen Okla’s rollout of electric vehicles across the continent by leveraging Treadway’s deep industry expertise, government networks, and last-mile delivery capabilities critical for Africa’s diverse markets.
Through the alliance, Okla plans to establish manufacturing and assembly plants in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt. Zimbabwe and South Africa will serve the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, Nigeria will anchor the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Kenya will act as the hub for East Africa, while Egypt will support North Africa.
The infrastructure-driven expansion underscores Okla’s ambition to position itself as a leading electric mobility player in Africa, a market where firms such as Agilitee have already pioneered EV adoption.
Treadway Investment Bank will play a pivotal role in facilitating partnerships with African governments and private sector stakeholders, securing financing, navigating regulatory frameworks, and ensuring sustainable long-term growth.
Okla’s move aligns with Africa’s rising demand for affordable, environmentally friendly vehicles while also contributing to job creation, skills transfer, and industrial development through localized assembly plants.
The announcement comes amid a broader surge of Chinese automakers entering Africa over the past five years. Brands including Build Your Dreams (BYD), Chery, Geely, Foton, Great Wall Motor (GWM), Haval, and Sinotruk have established a strong presence, particularly in Kenya, which has emerged as a key hub for electric mobility and commercial vehicle assembly.
Their success has been driven by local assembly that reduces costs, innovative financing models, and strong after-sales support that has reshaped consumer confidence.
With Okla Global’s entry, backed by Treadway’s financial and strategic expertise, Africa’s automotive industry is poised for a significant transformation, reinforcing the continent’s accelerating shift toward sustainable mobility.
