BasiGo is reshaping urban transport in Africa

It is 3 p.m. in Nairobi’s Central Business District. Like every day, commuters move through the vibrant streets, where traffic is animated by the colorful matatus, Kenya’s iconic buses covered in graffiti and slogans. Among them, a quieter presence is beginning to stand out. “The absence of noise makes the journey much more pleasant, especially when you commute regularly. I see electric buses as a positive evolution: they bring more comfort, more safety and a better experience for passengers,” says a commuter. These are BasiGo’s electric buses. Founded in 2021, the Kenyan start-up is emerging as a key player in electric mobility, offering locally assembled buses to transport operators and contributing to a broader shift toward cleaner and more resilient urban transport systems.

Public transport is at the heart of everyday life in Kenya with around half of the population relying on it, especially in cities like Nairobi. BasiGo’s model was built in response to a very visible challenge: urban pollution. “During Covid, when transport stopped, the air cleared and you could suddenly see Mount Kenya from Nairobi. It showed how much of the pollution comes from public transport,” recalls Jit Bhattacharya, co-founder and CEO of BasiGo. In a city where diesel buses are a major source of emissions, electrifying transport is not only an environmental necessity, but also an opportunity to transform a system that millions depend on every day.

BasiGo’s model is rooted in the realities of the Kenyan transport system. “What is driving BasiGo today is that the solution is not only impactful, it is also commercially viable for operators,” says Moses Nderitu, Managing Director for Kenya at BasiGo. Rather than disrupting the existing system, the company works within it. “BasiGo is not coming to change how the system operates. We provide electric buses and take care of charging, maintenance and technical support, allowing operators to focus entirely on their day-to-day activities.” This approach makes electric buses both accessible and attractive for transport operators, accelerating their adoption.

"Air pollution is a major issue in Kenya with around 5,000 premature deaths each year linked to emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles,” explains Joy Mukiri, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at BasiGo. “The people most exposed are often those who rely on public transport every day, including workers and children.” By replacing diesel buses with electric vehicles, BasiGo directly addresses this issue. Electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, contributing to cleaner air and healthier urban environments. “Replacing one diesel bus with an electric bus avoids around 50 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and 120,000 litres of diesel every year,” she adds.

While addressing pollution challenges, BasiGo also builds on one of Africa’s major strengths: its renewable energy resources. In Kenya, where electricity increasingly relies on renewable sources, electrifying transport makes the shift even more impactful. It allows cities to rely on locally produced energy while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

BasiGo is also contributing to a broader transformation of the local economy by building industrial capacity and developing skills. “We are assembling buses and vans locally, and at the same time training the next generation of technicians who will maintain these vehicles throughout their lifetime. That is a key part of building a long-term electric mobility ecosystem in Africa,” explains Moses Nderitu.

This local anchoring creates a virtuous circle of job creation, skills development and industrial growth. “BasiGo creates direct jobs across different functions in Kenya and Rwanda. We also assemble our buses locally, which creates local manufacturing jobs. More broadly, every bus on the road supports employment across the value chain. One bus can represent around 12 jobs,” adds Joy Mukiri.

Already present in Kenya and Rwanda, BasiGo is now looking beyond. “We are beginning to see growing demand from across the continent. We receive interest from many African countries, from Zambia to Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa,” says Moses Nderitu. The company has set ambitious goals, including its “Road to1000” campaign, which aims to deploy 1,000 vehicles within the next three years. It has also built the largest network of DC fast-charging sites in the region, with 11 stations in Kenya. 

This expansion is supported by long-term financing partnerships. “Institutions such as Proparco have been essential in helping us raise the capital and debt we needed to grow. These partners have played a critical role, not only in scaling our operations, but also in providing the kind of patient, long-term financing that allows us to deliver vehicles at an affordable cost to operators.” At the same time, local financial institutions are developing a greater appetite for financing transport operators, reflecting a dynamic that is helping to build confidence among investors and strengthen the local financing ecosystem.

This is what makes this moment so pivotal. In simple terms, the ambition is clear: “BasiGo reduces emissions by replacing diesel buses with electric buses. But beyond that, it is about creating cleaner air, improving daily life, supporting jobs, and building a transport system that is better for people, for communities and for the future,” concludes Jit Bhattacharya.