Mobius Motors Signs Multimillion Deal With Stima, Others To Manufacture Electric Motorbikes In Kenya

• President William Ruto's administration announced plans to roll out electric motorcycles in September 2023
• Mobius Motors partnered with Stima and One Electric in a multimillion deal aimed at spearheading local motorcycle assembly in Kenya
• The deal is part of the initiative by the firms to support the government in its quest to improve green mobility

Kenya is geared towards green mobility as it races to reduce carbon emissions as part of the United Nations (UN) SD goal on climate change.

President William Ruto's administration announced plans to roll out electric motorcycles in September 2023, encouraging green mobility and cushioning Kenyans from the rising cost of fossil fuel.

The initiative received support from various industry players, including Mobius Motors, Stima and One Electric, which signed a multibillion deal to accelerate the deployment of the e-motorcycles.

Ruto's electric motorbikes to create jobs

The deal, inked on Thursday, August 24, will see the Kenyan car manufacturer join the existing partnership of Stima and One Electric, taking on the local assembly of the CKD (completely knocked down) kits of One Electric motorcycles.

Mobius Motors said the deployment of One Electric motorcycles will drive down the cost for the Kenyan moto-taxi (boda boda) market.

"We will provide the best of our resources and know-how to make of their proposition a game changer. Our ambition is to further become a major player of the African sustainable mobility," said Nicolas Guibert, CEO of Mobius Motors.

Ruto said the electric motorbikes will generate enough income for youth operating the boda boda taxis, creating value addition to the sector that has been significant in solving unemployment issues in the country.

The partnership followed Stima's official gazettement as an assembler of electric motorcycles under the East African Community (EAC) duty remission scheme in July 2023.

With more than 1.5 million boda-boda riders in Kenya and a national electricity grid supplied with renewable energies by more than 90%, the partnership contributes to the sustainable transformation of the Kenyan transportation sector.

Africa Climate Summit

This came as Kenya prepares to host the Africa Climate Week (ACW) scheduled between September 4th and 8th.

ACW will provide a platform for policymakers, practitioners, businesses and civil society to exchange on climate solutions, barriers to overcome and opportunities realized in different regions.

ACW 2023 will be organized into four systems-based tracks, each focusing on Energy systems and industry, Cities, urban and rural settlements, infrastructure and transport, Land, ocean, food and water Societies, health, livelihoods, and economies.

Ruto approves first electric motorbike

In June 2023, Ruto approved the first electric motorcycle designed and assembled in Kenya produced by electric vehicle manufacturer Roam during the launch of Boda Care at KICC Nairobi.

Boda Boda Care programme seeks to train operators on safety and offer medical insurance to boda boda operators.

The head of state promised to reduce the training and licence fee for boda boda riders across the country.