Ride-hailing giant Uber has launched its first electric motorbike service in Kenya, marking its entry into the African market. This move comes as part of Uber’s commitment to making its global platform emissions-free by 2040.
Following the launch in Kenya, Uber plans to introduce the electric bike service in other countries including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa later this year. Kagiso Khaole, Uber’s general manager for sub-Saharan Africa, stated that the initiative will help Uber achieve its sustainability goals in the region.
In Kenya, Uber’s green product, called Electric Boda, will consist of 3,000 bikes in its fleet within the next six months, accounting for nearly a fifth of the total fleet. The implementation of electric bikes will result in a 30-35% decrease in operating costs for drivers and a 15-20% reduction in fares for users compared to regular Uber motorbike trips.
Uber’s electric motorbikes in Kenya, known as Electric Boda, will provide a smoother and quieter ride, offering a more pleasant experience for both drivers and passengers.
While the growth of the electric vehicle market in Africa has been hindered by inadequate charging infrastructure, local companies have been establishing battery-swapping stations in major cities like Nairobi to address this challenge and save drivers time.
Kenya’s President William Ruto has expressed his support for the adoption of electric motorbikes in the country, with a target of increasing the number of electric bikes on the road from the current 2,000 to more than 200,000 by the end of 2024. This shift towards electric transportation is seen as an opportunity to create more employment opportunities in the motorbike transport sector, which provides livelihoods for millions of individuals who are unable to secure formal jobs.