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AVA Commits KES 1 billion to Dedicated Electric Vehicle Contract Assembly Line

Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA), East Africa’s leading multi-brand contract assembly plant and part of the Simba Corp portfolio, will invest an estimated KES 1 billion in a dedicated electric vehicle assembly line, fitted with current-generation technology and staffed by 60 trained technicians.

The decision to invest ahead of the market is deliberate. Rather than wait for vehicle manufacturers to fund infrastructure case by case, AVA is building and funding the capability itself, so EV partners can move straight into production. The first customers are already on the line, with more in contracting.

AVA has built its reputation across five decades on multi-brand contract assembly. The plant runs lines for 23 global original equipment manufacturers spanning passenger cars, commercial trucks, buses, three-wheelers, and now electric vehicles — a breadth no other facility in East Africa matches. As the regional market re-orients around clean mobility, that flexibility and willingness to position for future demand, has become a strategic advantage. Electric vehicles are the future of mobility in East Africa, and AVA is building for that future now.

“As a contract assembler, AVA is building for the e-mobility sector before the market demands it. We are sourcing current-generation technology and training a team to bring partners into production from day one. The bigger horizon is the one that matters most for Kenya: moving from assembly to manufacturing, here, with local skills.”
— Daniel Moki, Acting Managing Director, AVA

AVA assembles Henrey electric hatchbacks and16-seater Joylong electric vans for Rideence Africa, which aims to transform Kenya’s taxi and last-mile transport market through local assembly. In parallel, it produces Ma3e electric vans for BasiGo, a partner leading Kenya’s electric public-transport push on Nairobi’s matatu routes. Beyond these projects, further EV partners, domestic and international, are in contracting. Simba Corp will itself begin assembling EVs at the plant — passenger vehicles first, with trucks and buses to follow.

karin

AVA

Daniel Moki

Head of Supply Chain

Daniel is an experienced Supply chain & Operations Management professional with over 18 years’ experience in fast-paced environments including Passenger transport & Courier services, fast moving consumer goods, Agriculture and Automotive industries across East Africa. He has expert & proven knowledge in business process management & Leadership, warehousing & distribution, inventory management & optimization, management of Fleet, Parts & automotive workshops, sales & operations planning.

He holds Bsc Agri-Economics from Egerton University and a Masters Degree in Economics from University of Nairobi.

Angie Macharia

Head of Human Resource

Angie is a seasoned HR leader with 14 years of experience across manufacturing and multi-sector environments, including Telecommunications, IT, and NGOs. She brings extensive expertise in strategic HR leadership, industrial relations, people analytics, digital HR transformation, talent and performance management, workforce planning, ESG/EHS governance, stakeholder engagement, budgeting, and process optimization.
She has a proven track record of strengthening people operations, building high-performing teams, and fostering safe, inclusive workplaces that drive both individual and organizational growth.
Angie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in HR, and is a full member of CHRM. She also contributes to industry workforce development as a member of the Transport, Storage & Allied Agencies (TSA) Sector Training Committee under the National Industrial Training Authority and serves as an appointed member of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Coast Chapter Committee.

Mercy Kutswa

Head of Business Development

Mercy is a Strategy and Finance Professional with a rich mix of experience spanning across various industries for over 10 years in the areas of financial analysis, financial modelling, financial reporting, business strategy development and monitoring of implementation, business plan preparation, process improvement and auditing.

Productively worked with board level decision makers, senior leadership teams, managers and implementing partners towards achievement of both short and long-term goals. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Finance from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Moi University.

Sethuraj P

Head of Innovation & Technology

Sethuraj is a Professional with 16+ years of experience and proven expertise in Manufacturing Engineering – (Greenfield Projects, Facility & Process Planning and Project Management) Supply Chain Management – (Commercial and Branding agreements, BoM and Project Management – for CKD) Industries worked – Passenger & Commercial Vehicles OEM’s.

He is a holder of a B-Tech in Electrical Engineering from Vidyapeeth University, Rajasthan – India

Moses Abiero

Head of Operations

Moses has immense experience in CKD Assembly Process Planning, Setting-up robust Quality Systems of World-Renowned Brands of Vehicles. He has successfully led multi-functional teams in assembly of different models of vehicles.

He is a Member of Engineering Board of Kenya-EBK. He holds a Bachelor Degree in BSc-Mechanical Engineering from Kenyatta University and currently pursuing MBA-Strategic Management at the University of Nairobi.

Amos Mwaniki

Head of Finance & Admin.

Amos has extensive experience in Finance, Operations and Financial Management systems. He possesses significant experience in setting up Finance, Internal Controls and Operation systems in start-up Businesses.

He joined AVA after working within the Simba Corp. Group in Simba Hospitality where he was Head of Finance in the Acacia Brand. He is a Qualified Accountant, a member of ICPAK and a holder of a Bachelor of Commerce degree from KCA University.