Kenya’s commercial vehicle industry is set for another major expansion following plans by Mombasa-based vehicle assembler and distributor TransAfrica Motors to establish a modern truck service and maintenance facility in Mlolongo, Machakos County.
The new center is expected to strengthen aftersales support for commercial transport operators along the Northern Corridor while creating more than 400 direct jobs. According to the company, the facility will be the largest dedicated truck service center in East and Central Africa, operating around the clock to support heavy-duty vehicles traveling between the Port of Mombasa and regional markets including Uganda.
TransAfrica Motors, the exclusive distributor and assembler of FAW trucks in Kenya, has experienced rapid growth since launching its first assembly plant in Jomvu, Mombasa, in 2014. What began as a business with two branches assembling about 200 vehicles has expanded into a nationwide network of more than 15 branches with biannual production and distribution exceeding 3,000 units.
The investment reflects growing demand for locally assembled commercial vehicles and the increasing importance of reliable aftersales support as fleet operators seek to maximize vehicle uptime.
Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between TransAfrica Motors, Global Motors Centre and Equity Bank in Mombasa, General Manager Faiz Awadh said the facility has been designed to deliver fast, high-capacity servicing using advanced workshop technology.
He noted that the workshop will operate continuously, allowing trucks moving along the country’s busiest transport corridor to receive maintenance without lengthy delays. The company expects most servicing, including major and minor maintenance, to be completed in approximately one hour, while the facility will have the capacity to handle as many as 300 trucks simultaneously.
Initially, the workshop will focus on servicing FAW trucks before gradually expanding to accommodate additional vehicle brands.
The agreement with Equity Bank also introduces enhanced vehicle financing options aimed at making new vehicles more accessible to businesses. Under the arrangement, customers purchasing new FAW trucks can access financing of up to 95 percent of the vehicle value with repayment periods extending to 72 months. Buyers of new Jetour SUVs, distributed by TransAfrica Motors’ sister company Global Motors Centre, will be eligible for financing of up to 100 percent.
TransAfrica Motors Financial Controller Yusuf Noorani said investing in brand new vehicles offers stronger long-term value than purchasing used imports. Besides improved reliability, warranty coverage and lower maintenance costs, new vehicles are generally more attractive to lenders because they carry lower financing risk.
He added that expanding local vehicle assembly not only supports industrial development but also creates employment opportunities and strengthens Kenya’s automotive manufacturing ecosystem.
Equity Bank’s Head of Asset Finance, Beatrice Nyambura, said Kenya’s ongoing infrastructure investments are driving increased demand for commercial transport assets. She cited continued investments in highways, ports, airports, rail infrastructure, industrial parks and Special Economic Zones as creating new opportunities for logistics companies and fleet operators.
According to Nyambura, transport and logistics remain central to Kenya’s economic growth by connecting producers to markets, supporting manufacturing, facilitating regional trade and strengthening supply chains across East and Central Africa.
She also highlighted the opportunities emerging under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that improved regional connectivity through projects such as the Lamu Port, the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and upgrades to the Northern Corridor will increase demand for reliable transport solutions.
Nyambura said Equity Bank’s partnership with TransAfrica Motors is intended to remove financing barriers that often prevent businesses from expanding their fleets, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on growing their operations rather than raising significant upfront capital.
The announcement comes as Kenya’s automotive sector records strong momentum. Industry data shows demand for new, zero mileage vehicles rose by 23 percent during the first half of 2026, reaching a record 7,819 units. Analysts attribute the growth to declining lending rates, exchange rate stability and sustained business activity across key sectors of the economy.
Global Motors Centre further strengthened local manufacturing last year by commencing assembly of Jetour passenger vehicles in Kenya, including the Jetour X70 and Jetour Dashing models, reinforcing the country’s position as an emerging automotive assembly hub in the region.
