Burkina Faso has introduced its first fully indigenous electric vehicle (EV), the ITAOUA. Designed and manufactured entirely by Burkinabe engineers, the ITAOUA boasts an impressive range of 330 kilometers after just a 30-minute charge, as reported by the car manufacturer. The first two models of the brand are called Native and Sahel.
The production facility, situated in the prestigious Ouaga 2000 district of the capital, is the brainchild of a visionary Burkinabe entrepreneur aiming to position the nation as a technological leader in the region. The company emphasised, “Burkina Faso has just proven that innovation is not the preserve of great powers, but that it can also germinate, grow, and radiate from the heart of Sahel in Africa.”
Mixed Reactions
Reacting to the news on social media, Pitts Hammers, commented on Cameroon News Agency “This is most probably a Russian disguise company. Good that it’s manufactured locally though. Come to think of it, when did Traore take power to develope such technology? Normally, the cars need to go through a standard testing process,” he wrote.
Others, like NDi Jude were keen to highlight the difference between manufacturing and assembling vehicles.
“Don’t confuse us here. Know the difference between manufacturing and assembling. They buy parts from other countries and assemble them and you call them manufacturing.”
Meanwhile, Njinkeng Azenkengdavid made comparisons with Cameroon. “Only two years in control, and things are changing 90% positives, while after 42 years we don’t even have drinking water in Cameroun,” he said on CNA’s Facebook page.
Implications for Africa
Despite these sentiments, this unveiling comes at a pivotal moment, as Africa’s electric vehicle market is experiencing significant growth. Research firm Mordor Intelligence valued the market at $11.94 billion in 2021 and projects it will reach $21.39 billion by 2027, with a compounded annual growth rate of 10.2% during the forecast period.
