Kenyan electric bus manufacturer BasiGo has deployed 100 electric buses across Kenya and Rwanda and aims to increase that number to 1,000 by 2027, aligning with the Kenyan government’s broader eMobility goals.
The company began series production of its flagship nine-metre E9 Kubwa electric bus in Kenya in 2024. Designed for urban transport, the bus accommodates up to 54 passengers and incorporates a 210 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery supplied by China’s CATL. BasiGo claims the bus can travel up to 400 kilometres daily with a fast-charging stop, taking less than two hours to fully recharge.
“We shall be assembling 20 buses every month and the orders are many,” CEO Jit Bhattacharya said last year. “We intend to work round the clock to increase the number, because the demand may rise with time.” Bhattacharya also noted the company plans to create 300 local jobs through its production activities in Kenya.
Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Nairobi, BasiGo initially imported electric buses from BYD before launching local production. Its business model focuses on leasing electric buses to public transport operators, helping them transition from diesel fleets without high upfront costs.
Kenya’s government is backing the initiative as part of its goal to electrify all public transport buses by 2027. “This is in line with our national ambition to decarbonize the transport sector,” said Trade Minister Rebecca Miano during the inauguration of the BasiGo assembly plant last year.
The company’s current efforts and production ramp-up form a key part of Kenya’s push to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and lower urban air pollution.
