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

Summary

BasiGo aims to deploy 1,000 battery-electric buses in Kenya by 2027. The Nairobi-based startup has assembled 53 buses and has 27 more in production at its new Thika assembly line — the country’s first dedicated electric bus line — built with Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers as part of a KES3.5 billion investment. Production is expected to ramp to 20 buses per month by 2026. The KL-9 model targets Nairobi commuter routes with a 300kWh battery and a two-hour charge time; operators such as Citihoppa, Ummoinner and Rembo Shuttles are already trialling the buses.

Uptake faces hurdles: high capital costs, limited charging infrastructure and no national EV strategy. Kenya’s grid is over 90% renewable and Kenya Power says it has off-peak capacity for mass charging. Road transport is a major energy consumer and emissions source, and the country spends roughly $5 billion a year on fuel imports. BasiGo is pursuing a leasing model that bundles vehicles, maintenance and charging, has raised $63.1 million to date (including a $24m Series A led by Africa50), and plans to export to markets like Nigeria and Tanzania.

Key Points

BasiGo targets 1,000 electric buses on Kenyan roads by 2027.
The Thika assembly plant — in partnership with Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers — is Kenya’s first dedicated e-bus line and part of a KES3.5 billion investment.
53 buses assembled, 27 in production; projected output of 20 buses per month by 2026.
The KL-9 bus has a 300kWh battery and charges in around two hours; it is designed for Nairobi’s congested commuter routes.
Main barriers to scale: high upfront costs, sparse charging infrastructure and the absence of a national EV policy.
Kenya’s electricity mix is >90% renewable and the state utility reports sufficient off-peak capacity for charging thousands of EVs.
BasiGo’s leasing model reduces capital burden for operators by covering maintenance and charging.
The company has raised $63.1m and plans to export buses to other African markets such as Nigeria and Tanzania.

Context and relevance

Electrifying Kenya’s matatu-dominated urban transport could significantly cut emissions, improve air quality and reduce the country’s vulnerability to oil price shocks. BasiGo’s local assembly strengthens industrial capability while its leasing approach addresses affordability — but scaling will hinge on clear government policy, charging infrastructure investment and cooperation with operators. The piece sits within a broader African e-mobility push where policy choices (Rwanda’s incentives, South Africa’s charging corridors) are already shaping adoption trajectories.

Why should I read this?

Short and blunt: if you care about cleaner air in Nairobi, cutting the country’s diesel bill or whether EV startups can actually get buses onto the road, this is worth a quick read. We’ve pulled out who’s building what, the finance behind it, and the real blockers — so you can skip the fluff and get the gist.