Kigali’s Bold Step Towards Sustainable Mobility: A Milestone for Africa

By Kaushik Burman

As the CEO of Spiro, I am proud to celebrate a transformative milestone in Kigali’s journey towards sustainable mobility. Our company has reached a significant benchmark, with over 1,000 electric motorbikes operating in the city, exemplifying our commitment to advancing clean transport solutions across Africa.

The Rwandan government’s decision to exclusively register electric motorbikes for public transport in Kigali from January 2025 is a pivotal move that showcases exemplary leadership in climate action. This decision is vital not only for Kigali but for Africa as a whole. Transportation emissions on the continent are increasing at an alarming rate of 7% each year, contributing significantly to the deteriorating quality of air in urban areas. Shockingly, air pollution is the second leading cause of death in Africa, linked to diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Each year, approximately 1.1 million Africans die prematurely due to pollution-related illnesses. These figures underscore the urgency of adopting cleaner, more sustainable forms of transport.

Spiro is proud to have been instrumental in creating the environment where the government can feel confident making such a bold move towards electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Through our strategic partnerships across East Africa, we have made EV bikes more affordable and accessible to the majority of Rwandans. Our investments have laid the groundwork for this shift, demonstrating that electric mobility can thrive when supported by robust infrastructure and collaborative partnerships.

East Africa continues to lead the way in sustainable innovation, and Spiro is honoured to be at the forefront of this transformation. Our extensive network of battery swapping infrastructure across Kigali—and in six other African countries—ensures that EV users have seamless access to fully charged batteries, contributing to uninterrupted and efficient urban transport. To further solidify Rwanda’s green transition, we will be offering comprehensive rider bundles that include bikes, batteries, and home chargers, reinforcing the resilient infrastructure necessary to support this monumental shift.

Beyond our work to combat climate change, Spiro is also committed to fostering social progress through inclusive employment practices. In Rwanda, we are proud to model female empowerment by supporting the local female boda boda association and promoting diversity across our workforce. Our operations include a wide representation of female employees in our warehouse, swap stations, customer engagement teams, and sales departments. This commitment to diversity not only strengthens our company but also contributes positively to the communities we serve.

With a state-of-the-art factory running in Nairobi, Spiro is geared up to handle the increasing demands of an EV-only market. This readiness positions us as a key player in helping Rwanda and other countries move forward confidently on their paths to cleaner, more sustainable urban transport.

I hold deep admiration for the Rwandan government’s visionary approach. Their commitment to policy changes that prioritise environmental sustainability and social impact sets a powerful example for other nations. It is only a matter of time before the rest of East Africa—and indeed, the continent—follows suit.

We commend Kigali for setting this ambitious precedent and urge other governments to look to Rwanda as a case study for sustainable mobility. The integration of policies that prioritise clean transport not only addresses immediate public health concerns but also lays the foundation for long-term economic resilience and environmental sustainability. Spiro stands ready to support this transition and inspire similar progress across the continent.