Nairobi, Feb. 2 -- Chinese-owned electric vehicle (EV) dealer Rideence Africa is investing Sh320 million in an assembly line in Mombasa as it seeks to reduce vehicle prices by as much as 25 percent through tax incentives offered to firms engaged in local production.

The firm has partnered with Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) to assemble electric hatchbacks from completely knocked-down (CKD) kits sourced from the Chinese automaker Beijing Henrey and 16-seater vans by the commercial vehicle company Jiangsu Joylong.

The investment covers the cost of importing assembly kits, plant fees payable to AVA, taxes, freight, and expanding labour capacity to raise production output. Some 132 hatchbacks and 20 vans are scheduled to be assembled b...