Uber has introduced an electric motorbike service named “Electric Boda” in Kenya, aiming to achieve an emissions-free platform globally by 2040.
With plans to expand to Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa, the service will feature 3,000 bikes within half a year. Kenya’s significant reliance on renewable energy, generating over 90% of its power from green sources, aligns well with this initiative.
The electric vehicle market’s growth in Africa has been hindered by a lack of charging infrastructure, but Kenya’s President William Ruto has set ambitious goals for electric motorbike adoption.
Although challenges exist in some African countries, such as past bans on bike-hailing services in Nigeria, recent moves by Nigerian state governments towards electric vehicles present opportunities for Uber’s venture.
For instance, Nigeria’s Oando Clean Energy Limited and Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority have launched electric mass transit buses in Lagos, and Ogun State Governor plans to provide electric-powered motorbikes. Uber’s platform could play a pivotal role in realizing these states’ electric vehicle aspirations.
