They Told Him Africa Wasn't Ready for Electric Cars. He Built a Fleet Anyway

For decades, the soundtrack of Ouagadougou has been the roar of ageing internal combustion engines and the thick scent of diesel exhaust. In the local markets, these imported, second-hand vehicles from Europe are known as "France Au Revoir", translating somewhat to: cars that have been sent to their graveyards by the West only to find a second, often smoky, life in the Sahel. But in the district of Ouaga 2000, a new sound is emerging: the near-silent hum of a domestic electric revolution. At the heart of this shift is Abdoulatif Rouamba, the Director-General of Itaoua, the first brand of electric vehicles to be assembled entirely on Burkinabè soil.

The journey of Itaoua, which officially launched in January 2025, is a story of radical self-reliance and strategic international cooperation. Under the leadership of President Ibrahim Traoré, the government sought to decouple the national economy from its heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels. Rouamba, an engineer with a vision for technological sovereignty, saw an opportunity not just to import technology, but to master it. Through a "win-win" partnership with technical experts from China, a cohort of Burkinabè engineers was sent abroad for intensive training in modern manufacturing plants. They returned not just with parts, but with the expertise to apply advanced assembly techniques in their own workshop in the capital.

The name "Itaoua" is a deliberate tribute to a village near Ouagadougou, grounding this high-tech venture in local identity. The brand's logo, a galloping horse, symbolises strength, prestige, and longevity, qualities that Rouamba believes are essential for the rugged Saharan terrain. "With the assembly carried out directly in Burkina Faso, we will be able to further reduce the cost of the vehicles," Rouamba explained to Peoples Dispatch in 2025. His goal is simple but transformative: to make clean, modern transportation affordable for the average citizen who previously had no alternative to expensive gasoline.

Itaoua’s flagship model, the "Sahel," is a compact, fully electric car specifically designed for the African context. It features a range of 330 kilometres on a single charge and can be recharged in just 30 minutes at a fast-charging station or overnight at home. Perhaps its most innovative feature is the integrated solar charging system. In a country that enjoys over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, the ability to "trickle-charge" auxiliary systems like air conditioning and lighting while parked in the sun is more than a luxury; it is a strategic use of the environment to reduce the load on the 31.45 kWh battery.

The economic argument for Itaoua is undeniable. According to Cheik Omar Kone, a salesman for the brand, a full charge for the Sahel costs between 3,000 and 6,000 CFA francs. In comparison, a litre of gasoline in the country has historically fluctuated at prices that make daily commuting a financial burden for many families. Driving an Itaoua vehicle isn't just an environmental choice; it is a direct contribution to household savings and national energy security.

Beyond private ownership, Rouamba is targeting the very pulse of the city: the taxi fleet. Currently, thirty bright electric taxis are already circulating in Ouagadougou, with plans to expand the fleet to over 100 vehicles through partnerships with local ride-hailing services (VTCs). For the taxi drivers, the transition means lower maintenance costs, no oil changes, fewer moving parts, and no fuel lines to clog with dust.

While some critics on social media have pointed out that the current models share designs with international platforms, Rouamba remains transparent and focused. He acknowledges that the brand is currently in an assembly and technology-transfer phase. However, he has set his sights on a "prospect of launching original Burkinabè designs in the coming years." His ambition doesn't stop at the border; he envisions Itaoua conquering West Africa and eventually competing in global markets. For Abdoulatif Rouamba and his team of young engineers, every car that rolls off the line is a declaration that the Sahel is no longer a dumping ground for the world's old engines, but a laboratory for its future.

Lessons for Budding Makers

Abdoulatif Rouamba's journey offers valuable insights for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs:

1. Leverage Strategic Partnerships for Skill Transfer: Itaoua succeeded not by rejecting foreign help, but by using it as a "win-win" platform to train local engineers, ensuring that the knowledge of how to build stayed within the country.
2. Solve for the Wallet First: Innovation is most effective when it solves a primary pain point; by making the "fuel" (electricity) significantly cheaper than gasoline, Itaoua made the transition to new technology an easy economic decision for the public.