Sylvia Duruson
Kenyan electric mobility startup BasiGo has been awarded a $1.5 million (KES 227 million) grant from USAID to expand operations in Rwanda. According to the company, the grant will directly support their electric bus pilot with Kigali’s leading bus operators and enable rapid scaling of e-buses in Rwanda.
The funding announcement coincided with news that BasiGo’s inaugural fleet of electric buses will soon arrive in Rwanda, marking the startup’s first expansion beyond Kenya. In June, BasiGo partnered with Tap&Go Rwanda to deliver 200 e-buses by 2025.
Since launching in 2020, BasiGo has provided over one million rides using mileage-based leases that lower barriers to electric bus adoption. As of June 2023, BasiGo had 19 buses on Kenyan roads operated by partners under pay-as-you-drive leases.
In Rwanda, BasiGo will pilot similar leasing models with public transport companies. The pilots will help BasiGo assess market viability, engage in research, and evaluate long-term sustainability.
BasiGo aims to fill a gap of 700 buses needed to optimise Rwanda’s public transport sector. With the government targeting a 20% electric bus fleet by 2030, BasiGo is strategically positioned to meet demand with its EV fleet.
The startup has raised $10.9 million to date, reflecting investor confidence in East Africa’s electric mobility potential. In March 2020, BasiGo secured $4.3 million in seed funding. One year ago, they announced an additional $6.6 million investment round.
The new USAID grant validates BasiGo’s model of providing scalable, eco-friendly transportation solutions. With the funding, BasiGo can deliver on its landmark 200-bus deal to facilitate Rwanda’s sustainable mobility goals.
By tapping into the fast-growing EV bus market, BasiGo is leveraging technology and innovation to build green, accessible public transit across Africa. The startup’s expansion to Rwanda represents a milestone as it unlocks new opportunities to impact regional transportation infrastructure positively
