Uber's Africa-First Electric Bike Fleet Launched in Kenya

Highlights

• Ride-hailing firm Uber has launched an electric motorbike service in Kenya, its first in Africa, as the company seeks to make its global platform emissions-free by 2040.
• The rollout in Kenya is expected to be followed later this year in Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa.
• Uber’s new green product in Kenya, dubbed Electric Boda in a nod to the Swahili term for motorbike taxis, will comprise 3,000 bikes within six months, or just under a fifth of its fleet.

Source: Reuters

Our Takeaway

The expansion of the electric vehicle market in Africa has been hindered by an insufficient electric charging infrastructure and the necessary supporting facilities. In Kenya, which derives over 90% of its energy from renewable sources, the government is actively establishing the country as a pivotal force in driving Africa’s transition to eco-friendly transportation. More so, domestic companies have begun establishing battery-swapping stations in prominent urban centers such as Nairobi, aiming to enhance drivers’ efficiency by saving them time.