Kenya’s electric mobility sector has received a major boost as ARC Ride, a leading battery-as-a-service (BaaS) provider for electric two-wheelers, announced a $5 million financing agreement with British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor.
The funding is aimed at rolling out 5,000 electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) across Kenya and expanding ARC Ride’s automated battery swapping network — already the first and largest of its kind in Africa. The goal is to standardise EV infrastructure across East Africa, making it easier for manufacturers, riders, and partners to scale e-mobility solutions.
A Critical Step Toward Decarbonising Transport
The investment supports Kenya’s broader climate goals of achieving a low-carbon transport system by 2030. The transport sector currently contributes about 13% of Kenya’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with motorcycles playing a major role in urban pollution.
ARC Ride’s approach targets these emissions by offering a scalable, affordable solution for boda boda riders and delivery services. The company has already installed 170 charging and battery swap stations in Nairobi, reducing the need for home or station-based charging infrastructure. This model eliminates long charging times, drastically lowers the upfront cost of EV ownership, and improves daily income potential for riders.
With the new financing, ARC Ride estimates that its expanded network could directly save over 100,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year by displacing petrol-powered motorbikes. Techish.com
