I’m Winnie Wekesa, a pioneer EV fleet manager, operations strategist, and advocate for women in mobility. My journey began in the hustle of Nairobi’s taxi industry. I knew the exhaustion of watching fuel costs swallow profits and the health toll of polluted city air.
The transition to e-mobility wasn’t just a career move for me, it was liberation. I’ve stood by new charging hubs and watched drivers realize their earnings are no longer chained to fuel pumps. That spark, relief, pride, and hope is why this transition matters. It’s personal, and it’s transformational. At the recently hosted Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), this personal transformation was reflected on a continental scale, with a renewed focus on justice and economic opportunity through climate action.
Why Electric? The Numbers Speak
In Kenya, we are seeing incredible momentum; 7.1% of new motorcycles in 2024 were electric, a true tipping point for mass adoption. The impact is tangible, with riders often doubling their daily take-home pay from KES 1,000 to KES 2,800. Meanwhile, pioneers like BasiGo have rolled out their 100th e-bus and launched Kenya’s first intercity e-matatu pilot. The broader picture is even more compelling with experts projecting $100 million in monthly fuel savings and a 15% cut in transport emissions by 2030, all powered by Kenya’s 90% renewable grid.
But the stakes are clear. Our 2.2 million petrol boda bodas spew over 10% of transport CO₂, draining household incomes and polluting our cities. Without accelerated e-mobility adoption, we risk another decade of oil dependency and missed green jobs. ACS2 made it clear that climate financing must shift from promises to pipelines, fuelling transitions like this across Africa. The Summit delivered concrete progress, including a push to mobilize $50 billion annually in catalytic finance through the establishment of the Africa Climate Innovation Compact (ACIC) and the African Climate Facility (ACF), to channel green financing toward homegrown solutions.
Kenya Power is actively rolling out 45 public chargers with dedicated e-mobility tariff and a bold vision for 10,000 charging stations being in place by 2030. Companies like Roam are scaling solar-powered charging hubs, perfectly leveraging our renewable energy advantage, while ARC Ride is deploying a $5 million battery-swap network designed to support 5,000 e-bikes. This private sector innovation is being supported by crucial government incentives, including VAT-free chargers, reduced EV import duties, and a forward-looking national e- mobility policy that collectively lower the barriers to entry.
Companies in Kenya are building charging networks, battery-swap systems, and solar-powered hubs. Government policies are lowering barriers with EV-friendly tariffs and incentives. Together, these efforts point toward a future where e-mobility drives both cleaner air and job creation.
The hum of clean power is already on our roads. The question is not if we transition, but how fast. Governments must clear regulatory bottlenecks and back local assembly. Investors must channel capital into charging, fleets, and skills. Entrepreneurs must pilot, scale, and share data. Citizens can vote with every electric ride they choose.
Kenya has a winning hand with abundant renewables, busy transport corridors, and bold innovators. With the right will and financing, we can lead Africa’s clean transport revolution.
