Can BasiGo put 1,000 electric buses on Kenya’s roads by 2027?

Summary

BasiGo, a Nairobi-based e-mobility startup, aims to have 1,000 battery-powered buses operating in Kenya by 2027 to replace diesel minibus services and cut urban emissions. The company has locally assembled 53 buses and has 27 more in production at its Thika assembly line—Kenya’s first dedicated electric bus assembly facility—part of a KES3.5 billion (about $27m) investment. Production is expected to reach 20 buses per month by 2026. The new KL-9 model targets congested commuter routes with a 300kWh battery and a two-hour charge time, and several major operators have already adopted the buses.

BasiGo is promoting a leasing model where operators pay to use vehicles while BasiGo handles maintenance and charging. The startup has raised $63.1m from investors including Africa50 and SBI Investment and is planning exports to markets such as Nigeria and Tanzania. However, adoption faces hurdles: high capital costs, limited charging infrastructure and no national EV policy in Kenya yet, despite the country’s largely renewable power mix and available off-peak capacity.

Key Points

BasiGo targets 1,000 electric buses in Kenya by 2027; 53 assembled and 27 in production now.
Thika assembly line is Kenya’s first dedicated e-bus plant; KES3.5bn (~$27m) invested; output to reach ~20 buses/month by 2026.
KL-9 model: 300kWh battery, ~2-hour charge designed for Nairobi commuter routes; some major operators already onboard.
Leasing model proposed to lower upfront cost for operators; BasiGo will provide maintenance and charging services.
Challenges: high capital cost, scarce charging infrastructure and an absent national EV strategy; opportunities include Kenya’s largely renewable grid and potential fuel-import savings.
Funding and scale: BasiGo has raised $63.1m (including a $24m Series A led by Africa50) and plans regional exports.

Content Summary

BasiGo is scaling local assembly and rolling out the KL-9 electric bus to Kenyan operators, aiming for a rapid fleet expansion. The Thika plant, partnership with Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers and rising monthly output are central to that ambition. Financially, BasiGo is using investor capital and a leasing model to get buses into operators’ hands without the full purchase cost.

The plan sits against a mixed backdrop: Kenya has strong renewable electricity generation and claims sufficient off-peak capacity to charge EVs, but the public transport system is dominated by informal matatus, and electrification faces policy and infrastructure gaps. If BasiGo can navigate capital intensity, build charging networks and convince operators the economics work, the company could accelerate urban decarbonisation and reduce fuel import bills. The startup also eyes export markets in neighbouring countries.

Context and Relevance

Why this matters: road transport is a major and growing source of Kenya’s energy consumption and emissions. Replacing diesel minibuses at scale would reduce air pollution, lower exposure to volatile oil prices and create a local EV manufacturing and services ecosystem. The story ties into broader African trends: some countries offer EV incentives or public charging corridors, and private players are experimenting with financing models to overcome capital barriers. For investors, policymakers and mobility operators, BasiGo’s progress is an early test case of whether commercial e-bus rollouts can be rapid and locally anchored.

Why should I read this

Short answer: if you care about Nairobi’s traffic, air quality or transport startups, this is worth five minutes. The piece cuts straight to whether BasiGo’s target is realistic, what’s driving their strategy (local assembly, leasing), and the main roadblocks (costs, chargers, policy). We’ve done the number-crunching and boiled down the risks and upside so you don’t have to slog through the full brief.

Author style

Punchy: Ambitious target, local manufacturing and significant investor backing make this a story to watch. It’s especially relevant for anyone involved in mobility, energy policy or climate finance in East Africa—the details matter.