Kenyan electric vehicle manufacturer BasiGo is set to expand its operations in Rwanda with the delivery of 28 new electric buses. The first batch is en route and expected to arrive in Kigali next month, with the aim of enhancing both city and inter-city public transportation services.
This initiative is part of BasiGo’s broader plan to deploy 100 electric buses across Rwanda by the end of 2025. The company has already secured over 360 reservations from Rwandan bus operators seeking to replace aging diesel fleets or expand their current operations.
To support this expansion, BasiGo is investing in the necessary infrastructure, including upgrading its Rwandex charging and service depot. The enhanced facility will feature a 1 MW power capacity, reliably charging 25 electric buses nightly.
Additionally, the company plans to establish charging stations nationwide to support inter-city routes.
BasiGo’s Pay-As-You-Drive model offers a comprehensive solution encompassing charging, service and maintenance, and insurance for the electric buses. With a 90% uptime guarantee, this model facilitates a seamless transition for bus operators integrating electric buses into their fleets.
Jit Bhattacharya, CEO and Co-Founder of BasiGo, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion saying, “BasiGo is proud to be delivering the largest shipment of electric buses to date into Rwanda. Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable transport has created an ideal environment for private sector investment and innovation into E-mobility. With this first major shipment of electric buses, BasiGo is proud to help Rwanda take a major step towards the goal of universal, electrified public transport for the country.”
The demand for electric buses in Rwanda has been growing since BasiGo launched its pilot program in December 2023. Over the past 15 months, the company has demonstrated the reliability of its electric buses and the value of its model to bus operators, reinforcing confidence in meeting the Rwandan bus market’s needs.
This expansion aligns with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 sustainability goals, positioning BasiGo as a pivotal player in the country’s transportation transformation. The deployment of 100 electric buses is expected to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 3,000 tons annually while creating hundreds of jobs for locals.
BasiGo’s commitment to electrifying public transport in East Africa is further evidenced by its recent $42 million funding round, aimed at delivering 1,000 electric buses in the region over the next three years.
This funding will enhance manufacturing capabilities and expand the company’s Pay-As-You-Drive service to new vehicle types, making electric buses more accessible and convenient for passengers.
In Rwanda, BasiGo has partnered with AC Mobility, a provider of automated fare collection systems for public transport, to facilitate the integration of electric buses into the existing transportation network.
This collaboration aims to accelerate Rwanda’s transition to sustainable and inclusive public transport.
BasiGo’s strategic initiatives and partnerships are set to play a significant role in transforming East Africa’s public transportation landscape, promoting environmental sustainability, and fostering economic growth through job creation.
