Chinese battery maker CATL has appointed Kenyan electric mobility company BasiGo as an authorised service partner in sub-Saharan Africa, the two companies announced. The collaboration will enable BasiGo’s service teams in Kenya and Rwanda to carry out on-site maintenance and repairs of CATL batteries used in electric vehicles, including BasiGo’s own buses.
Under the agreement, BasiGo’s service centres will also act as collection points for used batteries, facilitating a second-life application for CATL batteries across the region. The partnership currently focuses on Kenya and Rwanda, although the cooperation framework covers the wider sub-Saharan African market.
Jit Bhattacharya, CEO of BasiGo, described the collaboration as “a major milestone” for the company, highlighting the importance of ensuring uptime for CATL batteries across African EVs. Saba Azizi, Head of Service Network and After-Sales at CATL for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, added that BasiGo’s local presence and experience in electric mobility made it an ideal partner to support growing demand for reliable EV battery solutions.
BasiGo, founded in 2021, began series production of its E9 Kubwa nine-metre electric buses in Kenya in 2024, targeting 1,000 units for East Africa over three years. The buses, which seat up to 54 passengers, are equipped with 210 kWh CATL LFP batteries and can cover up to 400 kilometres per day with a charging stop. To date, the company has delivered 100 electric buses across Kenya and Rwanda, supporting regional efforts to electrify public transport.
