East Africa is shifting gears in its journey toward a cleaner, greener future. In a major milestone for the continent’s low-carbon public transport ambitions, Kenyan e-mobility startup BasiGo has announced the deployment of its 100th electric bus, now serving routes across Kenya and Rwanda.

The achievement not only cements BasiGo’s position as a regional leader in sustainable mass transport but also signals the growing momentum behind the Net Zero agenda in the region.

Founded in 2022 with just two vehicles operating in Nairobi, BasiGo has rapidly scaled up its electric fleet, now transporting over 20,000 passengers daily and supporting more than 1,000 jobs across East Africa.

BasiGo’s fleet is estimated to avoid the consumption of over 5,000 litres of diesel daily and eliminate up to 250 tonnes of CO₂ emissions every month. By leveraging East Africa’s renewable-heavy power grid, particularly hydropower and geothermal energy, these buses offer a true cradle-to-wheel climate advantage.

Rwanda is not waiting on the sidelines. Following the May 2025 launch of the country’s first electric intercity bus route connecting Kigali to Muhanga, Nyanza, and Huye, the government has now expanded electric services to key secondary towns.

A fleet of 20 long-range electric buses with a 350km charge capacity now connects Kigali to Rubavu, Huye, Nyagatare, Rusumo, and Karongi, enabling seamless round trips without recharging.

“This is a game changer,” said Beata Mukangabo, Head of Transport at the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA). “These buses will improve services, protect the environment, and create jobs. Their impact on the transport sector and broader socio-economic development is substantial.”

The rollout supports Rwanda’s pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 38% by 2030, a goal embedded in its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

As Kenya and Rwanda surge ahead, neighboring Tanzania and Uganda are laying the groundwork for electric mass transit. In Dar es Salaam, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) has announced pilot projects for electrified bus rapid transit (e-BRT) routes by mid-2026, aimed at replacing diesel-powered buses. The city’s existing BRT system, one of the most advanced in Africa, offers a natural launchpad for electric transition.

Meanwhile, in Uganda, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is partnering with international donors to electrify sections of its urban transport system, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality. The KCCA Green Transport Strategy envisions 100 electric buses on city roads by 2027.

The transition to electric mass transport in East Africa aligns directly with the region’s Net Zero ambitions and broader commitments under the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Green Stimulus Programme.

Public transport is one of the largest contributors to urban emissions in African cities. Switching to electric buses not only slashes tailpipe emissions but also curbs noise pollution, health risks, and the cost of imported fuel, which strains many economies.

Critically, the East African region benefits from an energy mix that’s among the greenest in the world, where over 80% of Kenya’s and 70% of Rwanda’s electricity is generated from renewable sources. This makes electric mobility in the EAC far more climate-effective than in fossil-fuel-powered grids.

However, infrastructure remains a bottleneck. Charging stations are limited outside capital cities, and grid reliability varies across the region. Moreover, the initial investment cost for e-buses, even with financing options, can deter small transport operators.

But as climate finance flows into Africa and carbon markets mature, governments have an opportunity to leverage green transport as both a mitigation strategy and a job creator.

“Electric buses are the low-hanging fruit of urban climate action,” said Joseph Mugo, a Nairobi-based climate economist. “They clean the air, reduce oil imports, create jobs, and help African countries meet their climate pledges without sacrificing mobility.”

For drivers like Jean-Claude Nizeyimana in Rubavu, the benefits are personal. “People often overlook how dangerous vehicle exhaust is to human health,” he said. “With electric buses, we can breathe easier. We need more of them.”

In Nairobi, commuter Jane Achieng describes her first ride on an e-bus as “silent, smooth, and hopeful.” She adds, “It’s the kind of progress we need.”

The journey to a net-zero future in East Africa has begun, not in boardrooms or climate conferences, but on the roads where real people move, work, and breathe. Electric buses like those rolled out by BasiGo are more than a transport innovation but are a climate solution, an economic enabler, and a symbol of African cities reimagining themselves.

Big3 Africa will continue to track the e-mobility transition across the continent. If your community, business, or county government is exploring green transport solutions, get in touch with us by leaving a comment.