Nairobi, April 12 -- Kenya's electric vehicle (EV) sector is emerging as a beneficiary of rising tensions in the global oil market, with the government's move to procure locally assembled units signalling accelerated mass adoption locally.

The Treasury has announced plans to switch from purchasing 2,500 internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to 3,000 locally assembled electric ones, citing the economic risks posed by the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi told lawmakers this week that the move seeks to cut fuel import costs while supporting the domestic EV industry.

"The government is moving from petroleum-powered vehicles to electric vehicles. The supplier will assemble them here," Mr Mbadi sa...