By Edwin Austin*
“The first time I stepped onto an electric bus, I felt like I was boarding the future. Compared to our old buses and matatus, it was very quiet, clean and spacious.” My dearest reader, the preceding words are not my own, but those of Jackline Nashipae, a Nairobi resident whose first ride on a BasiGo electric bus opened a new chapter in her everyday journey.
Her statement lends legitimacy to the fact that Nairobi’s once roaring, diesel-choked streets are gradually and quietly welcoming a new rhythm, and that is the gentle hum of electric buses. At the forefront of this green transport revolution across East Africa is BasiGo, Kenya’s pioneering electric mobility company, under the able leadership of CEO Jit Bhattacharya. For commuters like Jackline, this transition isn’t just about moving from point A to point B; it’s about stepping into a new era of how Nairobi breathes, moves, and dreams.
“BasiGo is creating the future of clean electric public transport here in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Jit Bhattacharya during an exclusive interview held in Nairobi. Kenya generates over 90% of its electricity from renewables, often producing surplus clean energy at night, especially between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Bhattacharya believes there’s no reason to rely on costly imported diesel when public transport can run on abundant local clean power.
Suffice it to say, this is no minor tweak. This is a geopolitical and economic game changer. “If we can replace diesel imports with domestically generated clean energy, it’s a win for the environment, air quality, and energy security and so BasiGo is all about accelerating that transition.” the CEO noted, adding that, “The stakes are enormous; in 2022 alone, Kenya spent nearly $5 billion on imported fuels, exposing the nation to currency fluctuations and supply shocks.”
The Dawn of a Green Industrial Revolution
Bhattacharya describes this shift as “a green industrial revolution here on the African continent” which is a movement not only transforming buses but electrifying two-wheelers, and freight vehicles. “Buses and commercial vehicles are the backbone of many African economies,” he noted, affirming that transitioning them to electric power would deliver outsized benefits.
“Cost competitiveness is crucial. For something to succeed here, it must be economically competitive,” Bhattacharya said. “Electric vehicles often carry a higher upfront price, but you make that up over the vehicle’s life because operating costs are lower, mainly due to cheaper electricity compared to fuel.” To bridge the initial cost gap, BasiGo innovates with financing options tailored for matatu operators, offering pay-as-you-drive plans that negate steep upfront payments.
Crucially, the CEO highlighted the role of stable policies. “An enabling ecosystem means a level playing field, not subsidies. Investors need policy stability they can trust for years,” he said, noting that Kenya’s forward-thinking e-mobility policy creates fertile ground for such investment.
Scaling Ambitions: The Road to 1,000 Electric Buses and Beyond
BasiGo has already rolled out 100 electric buses in Kenya, serving both urban Nairobi routes and intercity corridors. But the company’s ambitions are sweeping. “We have over 1,000 reservations from bus operators keen to electrify,” Bhattacharya revealed. “Our ‘Road to 1,000’ campaign targets deploying 1,000 electric buses on Kenyan roads by the end of 2027.”
Supporting this fleet is an expanding charging infrastructure. BasiGo currently operates 12 charging depots with plans for over 100 charging points nationwide. “With EVs, building fueling infrastructure goes hand-in-hand with delivering vehicles,” he pointed out.
Beyond Kenya, BasiGo is making significant inroads in Rwanda, where clean energy similarly powers their operations. Rwanda’s partnership reflects the regional ripple effect of Africa’s green mobility movement. “Rwanda has embraced this shift, and we now operate electric intercity buses there as well,” he asserted, signifying East Africa’s collaborative stride toward sustainable transport.
Yet transforming decades-old commuting habits means more than just changing vehicles; it also requires reshaping deeply ingrained daily experiences, challenging long-standing cultures, and shifting perspectives about what public transport can and should be.
Another commuter for instance, Elijah Ndonga, has quickly warmed to the electric ride. “The silence inside the bus is striking compared to the usual noise and vibrations from other buses. The journey is smooth. I’ve grown to like it,” Elijah shared. Such user adaptations illustrate a cultural shift accompanying technological innovation, and that is, the public learning to embrace a new kind of urban mobility that is quiet, clean, and energy-efficient.
According to the World Health Organization, diesel buses contribute significantly to air pollution, which remains the leading cause of premature deaths across Africa. Studies from the International Council on Clean Transportation also highlight that electric buses eliminate toxic tailpipe emissions, substantially improving air quality and public health.
According to Bhattacharya, every electric bus deployed is a multifaceted victory. “Each bus replaces 20,000 liters of imported diesel annually with instead 50 megawatt hours per year of domestically generated clean energy. We have already deployed over 100 electric buses in Kenya and that number is soon going to grow to 120 electric buses.”
“So back to your question, is this economically or environmentally driven? You can’t separate the two. It’s a win, win,” he concluded.
Battery Innovation: Powering East Africa’s Electric Mobility Revolution
Battery technology lies at the very heart of the electric mobility transformation sweeping across East Africa. While traditional combustion engines have plateaued in both performance and cost, electric vehicles continue to improve rapidly, driven by advances in battery efficiency, range, and affordability. As BasiGo’s CEO explains, “EVs are still getting cheaper, offering longer ranges and higher quality, thanks to ongoing global battery innovation.”
Recognizing this, BasiGo has partnered with CATL, a global leader in EV battery manufacturer, becoming their first authorized service provider in Sub-Saharan Africa. This partnership empowers BasiGo to service and repair CATL batteries locally, which is an essential step in building a comprehensive battery ecosystem.
As Jit revealed, one of the toughest hurdles early on was winning the trust of bus operators who questioned whether electric bus technology could withstand the rugged conditions of Kenyan roads. Common concerns included whether the buses could handle rough terrain, and how they would perform during frequent power outages. Overcoming this skepticism required more than words but bold action.
As BasiGo’s CEO explained, they had to raise funds and take the entrepreneurial risk to prove the technology’s viability. That leap of faith eventually paid off. Rather than relying on traditional marketing, the surge in demand and reservations came largely from bus operators spreading the word among their peers, fueling organic growth and confidence in electric mobility’s future.
Charging Forward
Kenya and East Africa’s electric bus revolution is accelerating from vision to reality thanks to pioneers like Jit Bhattacharya and BasiGo. By harnessing Africa’s abundant renewables, innovating financial models for adoption, and urging policy clarity, they are not just cleaning the air, but rewiring the continent’s economic and energy future.
With the challenges faced and milestones achieved still fresh in mind, the CEO shared a final reflection. “We have a unique opportunity to establish East Africa as a global leader in affordable, low-carbon public transportation. At BasiGo, we are fully committed to making that vision a reality every single day.”
*Culled from April Edition of PAV Magazine
