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Tag: Roam

  • Kenya launches financing model for electric motorcycles

    Kenya launches financing model for electric motorcycles

    Kenya has unveiled its first electric-motorcycle financing scheme, a flagship partnership, linking local e-mobility maker Roam, micro-lender Fortune Credit and climate-finance specialist GreenMax Capital Advisors.

    The programme is designed to put affordable, zero-emission motorcycles in the hands of both small businesses and boda-boda riders who have long been shut-out of formal credit.

    Speaking during the Launch at Roam’s Nairobi Assembly Plant, Habib Lukaya, the Company’s Regional Sales Operations Manager, said high upfront cost, not technology, remains the chief obstacle to Kenya’s two-wheeler electrification.

    “The biggest blocker for transitioning to electric mobility in Kenya has been access to financing, especially for end users and small businesses. With Fortune Credit on board as a trusted local financier, we are removing that barrier,” said Lukaya.

    Roam’s locally assembled Air Gen 2 motorcycle ships with a swappable battery and access to the firm’s growing network of charge-swap kiosks.

    Lukaya said the Company already operates a service hub in Machakos and will open outlets in Eldoret and Mombasa by December, so customers can buy, charge and maintain under one roof.

    Bernard Mwonyoyo, Chair of Fortune Credit, framed the loan product as a lifeline for clients that commercial banks routinely overlook.

    “Fortune Credit serves those others would not dare touch, we tailor our products to the needs of the people, including those hit hardest by climate change. Today, we’re not just launching a loan, we’re offering dignity and access,” said Mwonyoyo.

    He noted that each facility carries rider health insurance that pays a cashback if the borrower is hospitalised, preventing default during downtime.

    Fortune Credit, now in its second decade, operates eight branches countrywide and a mobile-lending platform that reaches riders beyond its physical footprint.

    Underpinning the arrangement is GreenMax’s concessional Green for Access Fund. Managing Director, David Ekabouma, said the guarantee facility reduces risk for local lenders and allows Fortune Credit to offer friendlier terms.

    “We’re not just here to launch a product, we are planting a flag that says clean energy belongs to everyone, too many hardworking Kenyans have been locked out of the green transition, not because they lack ambition, but because our financial systems were not designed for them,” Ekabouma declared.

    He said that the fund’s first tranche will finance more than 600 motorcycles equipped with telematics that let Roam monitor battery health and help Fortune secure the collateral.

    “This isn’t just a bike, it’s income for a single mum in Kisumu, lower fuel costs for a youth-run delivery business in Kayole, and a cleaner Nairobi skyline,” he said.

    The 2024 Finance Act zero-rated import duty on e-bike components, while draft e-mobility regulations propose a dedicated tariff for charging.

    “The green transition will not be real until it is affordable for ordinary Kenyans,” Ekabouma stressed.

    Speakers urged County Governments to license battery-swap kiosks quickly and to reserve last-mile delivery tenders for electric fleets.

  • Roam to add 10 solar-powered charging stations in Nairobi

    Roam to add 10 solar-powered charging stations in Nairobi

    Kenya’s e-mobility firm, Roam, has secured funding from Energica that will enable the firm establish 10 more solar-powered charging stations within Nairobi bringing total number of charging stations to 15.

    The firm says the funds will help it accelerate the adoption of clean, resilient transportation solutions by offering affordable battery rentals, optimized charging, and quick after-sales services for electric motorcycle riders in Nairobi.

    “This initiative is a game-changer for electric mobility in Kenya and across Africa. The open architecture design we’re implementing not only enables seamless interoperability but also fosters sustainable growth for electric motorcycles. By allowing users to charge their electric motorcycles at various speeds and locations, we are addressing one of the most significant barriers to electric vehicle adoption —access to reliable and flexible charging infrastructure,” said Habib Lukaya, Roam Product Manager of Energy and Charging.

    The firm says each Roam Hub is expected to make 400 -500 transactions daily for both charging and renting batteries.

    Roam is one of three demonstration sites selected in Africa by ENERGICA under the European Union-supported initiative under Horizon 2020 which targets to develop locally adapted, innovative technologies.

    “This partnership is a critical link between Africa and Europe, tackling urgent challenges such as energy access, climate change, and clean transport. Roam’s solar-powered electric mobility solutions will reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and transform urban transport in cities like Nairobi and Kisumu. Together, we’re building resilient, low-emission transport networks that empower communities and create sustainable jobs,” added Nadia Moussaid, ENERGICA Collaborative Project Manager.

    The new hubs will make electric mobility more accessible and transform urban transportation into a cleaner, more efficient system. The solar charging further enhances affordability, offering an additional Ksh 10-15 savings per kWh compared to electricity.

  • Boost for Kenya’s e-mobility push as Roam introduces new bus

    Boost for Kenya’s e-mobility push as Roam introduces new bus

    Kenya’s e-mobility firm, Roam, has introduced its latest electric shuttle bus dedicated to inter-city transport services.

    Roam Country Sales Executive Dennis Wakaba says Roam Move shuttle bus combines both technology and environmental consciousness to deliver efficient transport with zero emissions that is tipped to cut overreliance on imported fossil fuels and promote domestic energy utilization.

    “We are thrilled to introduce ‘The Roam Move,’ Kenya’s very own electric shuttle bus. This achievement aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering sustainable transportation solutions that make a positive impact on our environment and our communities,” said Wakaba,

    The 51-seater Roam Move shuttle bus boasts spacious aisles and comfort able seating that is efficient for a working environment as well as a quiet ride that reduces noise pollution in densely populated areas.

    The bus also has cutting –edge safety features such as collision avoidance systems, advanced driver assistance and robust structural integrity.

    It is also equipped with 170kwh battery pack and an operating cost that are 50pc lower attributing it  to its exemption from expensive maintenance and its streamlined construction with fewer moving parts hence minimizing downtime  leading to substantial savings amounting to Ksh 35 per kilometer journeyed .

    “The launch of this electric shuttle bus represents not only a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability but also a testament to the talent and potential within Kenya’s manufacturing industry,” added Wakaba.

    Roam Move is the firm’s second type of bus developed from the ground up in Kenya, the first being Roam Rapid, an electric mass transit bus.