BASIGO, the pioneering Kenyan electric mobility startup, is making significant strides in the East African region as it announces its expansion into Rwanda. The move comes as the company aims to address the fleet shortage in the country and foster sustainable public transportation solutions.
In an exciting development, BasiGo has forged a strategic partnership with AC Mobility, a well-known Rwandan supplier of automated fare collection systems for public transportation. Through this collaboration, the duo is poised to deliver a fleet of electric buses to Kigali transport operators by October 2023, introducing BasiGo’s innovative Pay-As-You-Drive financing model to the Rwandan market.
‘We are thrilled to join forces with AC Mobility to bring our eco-friendly electric buses to Rwanda,’ said Jane Kamau, CEO of BasiGo. ‘Our Pay-As-You-Drive financing model empowers bus owners to embrace sustainable transportation solutions while effectively managing their investment costs.’
Under the Pay-As-You-Drive model, bus owners can purchase electric buses on credit and additionally pay a daily subscription fee, which covers the battery rental, nightly charging at BasiGo depots, as well as bus servicing and maintenance. This approach aims to make electric buses more accessible and appealing to Rwandan transport operators, thereby accelerating the adoption of sustainable transport practices in the country.
The ambitious partnership between BasiGo and AC Mobility is set to deliver an impressive total of 200 electric buses to Rwandan bus operators by the end of 2024, significantly enhancing the nation’s public transportation infrastructure.
Rwandan Infrastructure Minister, Ernest Nsabimana, expressed his support for the initiative, highlighting the positive impact it will have on the lives of the city’s residents: ‘The introduction of electric buses through this partnership will help address the challenges faced by our public transportation system in Kigali, providing more convenient and environmentally friendly commuting options for our citizens.’
The Rwandan government has also taken proactive steps to accelerate the transition to electric public transportation. Recently, they launched a programme aimed at increasing the number of public electric vehicles in Kigali and converting 20 percent of the existing fleet to electric buses by 2030. BasiGo’s entry into the Rwandan market aligns perfectly with these sustainability efforts.
BasiGo’s journey towards electrifying public transportation in the region began in 2021 when the company successfully introduced electric buses into Nairobi’s fleet. Since then, they have sold 19 electric buses to the city’s public transportation companies, with an impressive 100 more already reserved for future deployment.
The company’s commitment to sustainable innovation continued earlier this year, as they partnered with Associated Vehicle Assemblers Ltd (AVA) to establish a bus assembly plant in Mombasa, Kenya. Moreover, BasiGo marked a significant milestone in May 2023 with the launch of Kenya’s first public EV charging station in Nairobi’s Buru Buru neighbourhood, connected via the new eMobility tariff.
As BasiGo embarks on its expansion into Rwanda, the future of electric mobility in East Africa looks increasingly promising, and with the support of key partners and local governments, the company’s vision for sustainable transportation is set to transform the region’s public transit landscape.
