Spiro, an African electric vehicle (EV) company, has officially launched its operations in Ogun State, Nigeria. The introduction of EV bikes in the state is expected to help residents offset the effects of subsidy removal and high diesel costs.
The launch event, held at the Arcade Ground of the Ogun State Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, was a grand ceremony attended by key figures, including Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and Honourable Minister of Transportation Sen. Said Alkali. Other government officials, traditional rulers, industry leaders, and stakeholders were also present.
Spiro emphasized that this launch marks a pivotal moment in the electric mobility landscape of Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy. With over 17,000 electric motorbikes already deployed across sub-Saharan Africa, Spiro’s strategic expansion into Nigeria will see its presence extend to up to eight major provinces, including Abeokuta, Ibadan, Lagos, and Abuja.
Electric bikes are crucial in promoting sustainable transportation by offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional vehicles, which helps reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. In Africa, transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions are growing by 7% annually, contributing to severe air pollution, which is linked to heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Spiro’s entry into the Nigerian market is a step towards addressing these environmental challenges, as around 1.1 million people in Africa die prematurely each year due to air pollution.
Spiro’s unique business model centers around battery swapping, allowing riders to use swapping stations, fast and slow chargers, and home charging solutions. This flexible approach ensures energy availability when and where customers need it. As part of the pilot phase of their program, three battery swap stations have been established in Abeokuta at MKO Abiola Stadium, Pansheke Skating Ground, and Oke Sokori. Each station can charge up to 24 batteries simultaneously, totaling 72 batteries across all three locations.
Spiro Ambitious Plans.
The company’s expansion is further bolstered by strategic partnerships that have accelerated the growth of Spiro’s charging network. This network expansion is crucial in making EVs a viable option for more people, significantly reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development. In Nigeria, Spiro has partnered with companies like Max, Dot, and Onocon, all of which share the vision of a cleaner, healthier world with accessible and reliable transportation powered by cutting-edge technology.
Spiro’s CEO, Kaushik Burman, expressed the significance of this expansion, stating, “Our expansion marks a new chapter for Spiro and the broader EV ecosystem in Nigeria. We’ll deploy a significant number of bikes in our first year in Nigeria, enabling a lifestyle shift towards cleaner, more sustainable transportation options. Our goal is to electrify mobility across Africa, and Nigeria, as Africa’s economic powerhouse, represents an important step on that journey.”
Spiro’s venture into Nigeria aligns with its broader commitment to innovation, sustainability, and enhancing the African smart energy ecosystem. The company recently secured a $50 million debt facility from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) during the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali. These funds will be used to expand Spiro’s network of automated swap stations, introduce new electric bike models, and improve accessibility to green mobility solutions.
The battery-swapping model lies at the heart of Spiro’s mission to redefine sustainable mobility across Africa. This innovative system allows EV users to replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones in seconds, eliminating the lengthy wait times associated with traditional charging methods.
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The initiative has received strong support from local governments, including an endorsement from Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who highlighted the multiple benefits of electric bikes. Spiro has already established a significant presence in key African markets, actively transforming the transportation landscape in Togo, Benin, Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, and Uganda with its eco-friendly EVs and pioneering battery-swapping technology. The company is set to expand its reach further, with plans to enter additional countries in the near future.
Governor Dapo Abiodun remarked, “Spiro’s electric bikes promise a future of reduced environmental impact, economic savings, and improved community health. We’re proud to collaborate on this sustainable venture, setting a green standard for transportation in Nigeria.”
