Uber's Electric Boda in Kenya: Significant Growth, Impact on Green Mobility, and Future Prospects

Uber's Electric Boda in Kenya: Significant Growth, Impact on Green Mobility, and Future Prospects
Image credit: CIO Africa 

Uber's Electric Boda Sees Rapid Growth in Nairobi

Uber’s first electric mobility product, the "Electric Boda," which launched in Kenya last year, has witnessed substantial growth in Nairobi after its initial year on the market. The rollout of these electric bikes has proven successful, particularly in terms of driver engagement and customer uptake.

Impressive Growth Metrics

Since its launch in August 2023, Uber’s Electric Boda has achieved a remarkable 94% increase in trips, highlighting the affordability and popularity of this green transport solution among Nairobi residents. Moreover, there has been an 81% surge in active driver sign-ups, driven by the product’s ability to offer savings on total ownership costs, with fuel expenses being the most significant reduction.

Industry Insights: Driving Green Mobility

Imran Manji, Head of East Africa at Uber, expressed optimism about the Electric Boda’s impact, stating, “Kenya is a great launching pad for innovation, and the success of Uber Electric Boda is a testament to this. The introduction of Electric Boda on our platform has provided drivers with an additional means to increase their earnings, while also supporting the country’s transition to eco-friendly mobility solutions.”

Nabil Anjarwalla, CEO of Greenwheels, also commented on the milestone, saying, “We are proud to contribute to Kenya’s transition to green mobility in partnership with Uber. In our first year, we’ve transported over 700,000 passengers and covered more than 12 million kilometers on electric motorcycles. As we scale up, we remain committed to reducing carbon emissions, offering formal employment, and ensuring safe, convenient transportation for Nairobians.”

Aligning with Kenya's National Electric Mobility Policy

The launch of Electric Boda comes at a critical time as Kenya implements its National Electric Mobility Policy. This policy is focused on establishing a greener transportation system and rolling out various initiatives for sustainable road traffic management. The boda boda sector, which employs over 1.5 million young people and contributes approximately Kshs. 202 billion to the economy annually, stands to benefit significantly from such eco-friendly innovations.