BasiGo, a leader in Kenya’s electric mobility sector, has unveiled the country’s first dedicated assembly line for electric buses at the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM) plant in Thika. This milestone aligns with the recent introduction of Kenya’s draft National E-mobility Policy, which aims to promote local EV production and support greener transportation initiatives.
The policy outlines a comprehensive legal framework to support electric vehicles, setting sales targets for zero-emission vehicles and providing investment incentives for local manufacturers and assemblers. This legislative environment dovetails with BasiGo’s strategic goal to roll out 1,000 electric buses across East Africa over the next three years.
Committed to boosting local production, BasiGo plans to assemble all 1,000 electric buses within Kenya, creating 300 new green jobs and enhancing self-reliance in the transport sector while boosting the local economy.
The demand for BasiGo’s electric buses is strong, with over 500 confirmed orders from Nairobi bus operators and an additional 100 reservations from Kigali, Rwanda. The company’s expansion into Rwanda in July 2023 through a partnership with AC Mobility highlights its commitment to regional sustainable transportation and addressing fleet shortages in Rwanda.
At the launch, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Rebecca Miano, praised the initiative, highlighting the government’s commitment to combating climate change. “The transport sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gases,” Miano noted. “Transitioning to electric vehicles provides a sustainable way to reduce environmental impact and tackle the adverse effects of climate change.”
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