Nationwide e-bike program announced by Kenyan government

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【Summary】Kenya plans to introduce electric motorbikes nationwide to address pollution, health effects, and fuel costs. President William Ruto aims to phase out combustion engine motorbikes, highlighting their impact on climate change and air quality. African startup Spiro has already introduced 10,000 electric bikes in Africa and plans to set up battery-charging and swapping stations in Kenya. Kenya aims to generate 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.

FutureCar Staff Sep 06, 2023 6:42 AM PT

Nationwide e-bike program announced by Kenyan government

The Kenyan government has announced plans to introduce electric motorbikes throughout the country. President William Ruto revealed the initiative in partnership with African startup Spiro, just days before hosting the first Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi. Ruto highlighted the fact that there are approximately two million motorbikes on Kenyan roads, mostly used as taxis known as "boda bodas". He emphasized that adopting electric mobility is a crucial step in addressing pollution, health risks, and fuel costs.

Ruto also expressed concerns about the implications of increasing combustion engine-powered vehicles across the continent, stating that it has serious consequences for climate change and air quality. While Africa only contributes two to three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it suffers disproportionately from the effects of climate change, according to the UN Environment Program.

Spiro, the African startup, has already introduced nearly 10,000 electric bikes in countries like Benin, Togo, Rwanda, and Uganda. The company plans to establish 3,000 battery-charging and swapping stations in Kenya, in addition to the 350 already present across Africa. They aim to potentially roll out over one million electric vehicles throughout the country.

Ruto, who has positioned himself as a leader in African climate change efforts, mentioned that Kenya has the potential to generate 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Currently, the country already generates most of its energy from hydroelectric and geothermal power. However, frequent power cuts remain an issue, as evidenced by a recent massive outage that left several regions, including Nairobi and its international airport, without electricity for hours.

In addition to power challenges, Kenyans are also facing economic hardships due to soaring fuel prices and new taxes. The cost of living crisis has added to the struggle, making it difficult for many to afford essential expenses. Despite these challenges, the number of registered electric vehicles in Kenya remains low, accounting for less than one percent of the total 4.4 million registered vehicles, according to government figures.