Harnessing the power of technology and collaboration to drive the e-mobility sector in Kenya
African countries contribute only 3.8% of global CO2 emissions, but this is increasing rapidly, particularly in the transport sector. With the population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 in Africa, road transport emissions are likely to increase at the same or an accelerated pace. In East Africa, the energy sector remains central to its pursuit of sustainable development and inclusive growth. The region is increasingly adopting e-mobility as a response to the various energy and sustainability-related development challenges. East Africa has become a prominent hub for e-mobility innovation. In Kenya, several startups are pioneering dynamic battery-swapping stations and charging stations to establish a robust charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and to strengthen the e-mobility ecosystem in the region.
E-Safari offers a range of services to accelerate the adoption of e-mobility in Kenya, including public and private EV charging, battery swapping stations, and cold storage facilities. All of these services are available through E-Safiri’s mobile application. The startup’s charging hubs and battery-swapping stations are strategically located in high-traffic areas, with stations equipped with digital payment systems. In rural and peri-urban areas, E-Safiri’s public charging stations are powered by solar panels, creating positive spillover impacts for rural communities. This is particularly important in African country contexts, where it is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without compromising the economic development of countries.
Kiri-EV is another startup based in Kenya championing the adoption of electric vehicles. It aims to provide holistic end-to-end services to customers, from assembling and selling electric 2- and 3-wheeled vehicles to providing public and private charging and swapping stations. The startup also provides after-sales services to ensure sustainable growth in the market for electric vehicles. Kiri’s first batch of electric vehicles – a set of cargo tuk-tuks assembled from imported knocked-down kits – were used for last-mile deliveries in the Kakuma refugee camp.
Bringing the two innovative startups together is the Sun-Run Sustainable Transport Africa partnership, which aims to deliver affordable and sustainable electric mobility solutions to communities marginalized by a lack of access to energy and transportation infrastructure. Recognizing that transportation barriers disproportionately affect women, the Sun-Run partnership emphasizes the inclusion of women as overall beneficiaries of the electric mobility ecosystem.
The partnership is already making significant strides in the e-mobility sector, with its pilot charging and swapping hub in Dunga Beach, Kisumu, creating a positive impact in communities. The Sun-Run project is a successful example of a public-private partnership that has benefitted from a strategic three-way collaboration. With Kiri-EV supplying e-bikes, E-Safiri managing the battery swapping and charging process, and the Glasgow Caledonian University providing research support, the project has carried out pilot initiatives that optimize e-mobility solutions in Kenya. Furthermore, it demonstrates the immense potential of technology and partnerships to drive forward the future of sustainable mobility in Kenya and the wider region.
