Kenya is pursuing the electrification of its boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) and matatus (minibuses) as it shifts to clean and sustainable energy technologies.

Speaking during the 2024 NCBA Economic Forum, Dr. David Ndii, Chairperson of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, said the plan to go electric will save the country $1 billion in petroleum imports.

“The thing which is going to change our inflation is the transition from fossil fuel to EV particularly in public transportation. By the time we are done electrifying bodabodas, we will be saving around $ 1 billion of petroleum imports,” he said.

In August 2023, the government assembled a 15-member team tasked with developing an e-mobility policy that will inform the country’s transport sector in the future.

President William Ruto reiterated the country’s commitment to the adoption of e-mobility.

“We are committed to enhancing our climate action by adopting low-carbon and efficient transportation systems through the application of innovations, including clean, efficient, and sustainable energy technologies,” said Ruto.

According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), as of December 2023, Kenya had 3.753 EVs on its roads.

This number constitutes 1.62% of the total number of vehicles registered in the country.

Watch the video below to learn why the government wants to go electric on transportation.