M-KOPA, a fintech company based in Nairobi, and Bolt are teaming up to bring electric motorcycles to Kenya. Over the next three years, they plan to introduce more than 5,000 new e-bikes in the country, making it easier for drivers to pay for them through digital micropayments.
This comes after Kenya launched its National E-mobility Policy draft, aiming to boost the production and assembly of electric vehicles.
Through this partnership, drivers in Kenya can lease ROAM and Ampersand electric motorbikes at a discounted price compared to regular rates. This move is expected to save drivers about 40% in total ownership costs compared to petrol bikes.
To get these e-bikes, drivers need to join the fleet through financing provided by M-KOPA, ROAM, and Ampersand. After leasing the bikes, drivers must exclusively work with Bolt and will eventually own the bikes after the lease ends.
With zero emissions and lower maintenance needs, this setup is not only expected to save drivers money but also contribute to environmental sustainability efforts in Kenya.
Bolt has been supporting eco-friendly initiatives in Africa since 2019, including investments in renewable energy projects. In 2021, they introduced Bolt Green, a ride category in Nairobi offering hybrid and electric cars, to reduce their carbon footprint in the country.
David Damberger, Managing Director of M-KOPA Mobility, expressed the company’s dedication to making e-bikes accessible to underbanked Kenyans. M-KOPA, founded in 2011, provides digital financial services to underbanked populations using data and IoT technology.
They’ve provided over $1 billion in credit and served 4 million customers with smartphone financing, digital loans, and health insurance. M-KOPA is the biggest financier of e-bikes in Kenya, controlling about two-thirds of the market.
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