Omega Seiki Mobility, an Indian EV maker, will invest US$25 million to set up its first international assembly plant in Jafza, Dubai.

The new facility, covering over 42,000 square feet, is set to begin assembling electric two- and three-wheelers by the end of 2025.

Omega Seiki Mobility said the plant will also handle storage and distribution of auto components and is expected to create more than 100 jobs in its initial phase.

The company said the Dubai plant will serve as an export base for markets across the Middle East and Africa.

The company operates over 160 dealerships in India and has sold more than 20,000 vehicles domestically.

🔗 Source: Omega Seiki Mobility

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Massive growth projections contrast sharply with current low adoption rates

The Middle East and Africa EV market presents a striking paradox that explains why manufacturers like OSM are making big bets despite sluggish current sales.

The region’s EV market is projected to grow from $3.83 billion in 2025 to $9.53 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate exceeding 20%1. Yet current adoption remains minimal, with green vehicle registrations comprising less than 1% of total car sales across the Middle East2.

Even the UAE, the region’s EV leader, achieved only a 3% penetration rate in 2023 after registering approximately 35,000 new EVs, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar lag significantly behind at 0.1% and 0.6% respectively2.

This dramatic gap between projections and reality reflects the region’s transition phase, where government initiatives like the UAE’s target of 50% electric vehicle fleet by 2050 are driving investment despite current market constraints1.

The disconnect suggests that early movers like OSM are positioning for a market transformation that hasn’t fully materialized yet, betting on policy changes and infrastructure development to unlock the projected demand.

2️⃣ Dubai’s geographic advantage creates compelling manufacturing economics for regional expansion

OSM’s choice of Dubai’s Jafza reflects a broader trend of manufacturers using the emirate as a springboard to serve emerging EV markets across two continents.

The facility’s positioning allows access to over 2 billion consumers across the Middle East and Africa—a massive addressable market that would be difficult to serve efficiently from India or other distant manufacturing locations.