VivoPower’s Tembo Expands into East Africa Through Partnership with AVA, the Region’s Largest Vehicle Assembler

Sustainable Transport | Electric Vehicles | EV Technology

VivoPower International PLC’s (NASDAQ: VVPR) subsidiary, Tembo e-LV, has signed a binding definitive agreement with Associated Vehicle Assemblers Ltd. (AVA), East Africa’s largest and most experienced vehicle assembler, to distribute, assemble, and service Tembo’s 100% electric utility vehicles (EUVs) across Kenya, Tanzania, and other East African nations.

Key Highlights

• AVA to distribute, assemble, and service Tembo’s EUVs throughout Kenya, Tanzania, and wider East Africa.

• AVA’s assembly partners include Toyota, Fuso, Hino, Volvo, Scania, Tata, and Mahindra.

• Tembo to establish a Kenya office and mobile technical support network to enhance service delivery.

• Partnership strengthens Tembo’s regional footprint, unlocking access to a 500-million-person market.

• AVA, established in 1975, is the only assembler in the region to achieve IATF16949 Certification.

The agreement marks a major milestone in Tembo’s global electrification rollout and supports its strategy of building sustainable, regionally anchored partnerships. Leveraging AVA’s decades of experience assembling vehicles for top global OEMs, the collaboration will create a robust local platform for deployment and long-term support of Tembo’s electric mobility and energy solutions. Through this partnership, Tembo and AVA will deliver localized assembly, installation, and maintenance services, ensuring customers across East Africa receive dependable on-the-ground support. Tembo will also work with AVA to train and upskill local technicians and engineers, fostering expertise in EV assembly, servicing, and energy integration. Tembo’s planned Kenya office and mobile support network aim to bolster job creation, technical training, and supply-chain development, further advancing the region’s transition toward sustainable mobility and green industrialization.

Matt Lloyd, Managing Director of AVA, said the partnership comes at a pivotal moment for Kenya’s shift toward electric mobility:

“Tembo’s portfolio aligns perfectly with our vision. With their continued support, we’re confident this partnership will deliver significant benefits for AVA, our customers, and the local economy.”

Kevin Chin, Executive Chairman of VivoPower, added:

“This definitive partnership with AVA is part of our broader strategy to forge long-term alliances with trusted regional leaders who share our vision for electrification and energy transition.”

Matthew Nestor, Director and Head of Global Partnerships at Tembo, emphasized the strategic significance:

“AVA’s deep manufacturing expertise and established OEM relationships, combined with Tembo’s proven engineering, create a powerful platform to electrify commercial fleets across the region.”

Tembo’s collaboration with AVA positions it as a leading enabler of sustainable transport across East Africa, combining global EV expertise with local assembly and service capabilities to drive widespread decarbonization and economic growth.