BasiGo commences a new line of e-bus assembly

From the newsletter

Kenyan electric bus company BasiGo has begun local assembly of KL-9 electric buses in partnership with Chinese bus maker King Long and Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM). The first unit was unveiled last week, marking a milestone in Kenya’s electric vehicle production journey. The partnership targets a production capacity of 20 buses monthly from next year.

• In addition to electric motorcycles and three-wheelers, Kenya is also producing electric cars and buses. Interest in local assembly went up following passage of pro-EV laws, proving that policy clarity is the backbone of a thriving EV assembly industry.

• Funding is a key driver of local assembly. It has enabled BasiGo to double its output from 10 to 20 e-buses per month. In contrast, Kiira Motors in Uganda continues to struggle with limited financing, hindering its ability to produce e-buses locally.

More details

• The KL-9 electric bus carries 54 passengers, can operate up to 400 km daily, and recharges in two hours. It comes with a 10-year or 1 million kilometre battery warranty, guaranteeing long service life and higher uptime. To support this growing fleet, BasiGo is expanding charging infrastructure along key commuter routes in Nairobi.

• The KL-9 is powered by a next-generation battery from CATL, the world’s leading EV battery maker. Last month, BasiGo was selected as CATL’s first authorised service partner in sub-Saharan Africa. These cross-partnerships highlight BasiGo’s ambition to diversify collaborations and strengthen the EV value chain.

• BasiGo has already secured more than 500 orders from bus operators in the region. Assembly delays stem mainly from limited access to capital and the challenge of balancing operations in both Kenya and Rwanda. However, strategic partnerships are expected to accelerate progress toward supplying 1,000 electric buses by 2027.

• Investor confidence in Kenya’s EV assembly is rising, supported not only by attractive policies but also by decades of assembly expertise. The country has over five decades of experience assembling ICE vehicles, and this foundation is now being applied to EVs. Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers and Associated Vehicle Assemblers are gradually adding EV lines for cars, three-wheelers, and buses.

• BasiGo is positioning itself as a benchmark company for electric bus assembly in Africa. It has gained the trust of leading OEMs, having assembled buses from BYD, and now expanding to Yutong, Joylong, and Tata Motors.

• Buses are the backbone of urban and intercity transport in most African countries. The World Bank estimates that 60–80% of urban commuters in African cities rely on informal or semi-formal bus/minibus systems. While the vast majority of these buses use diesel, electric buses are emerging as a cost-effective alternative. Even as local companies like BasiGo and Kiira make strides in local production, the continent still relies on imported electric buses, mainly from China’s BYD and Yutong. 

Our take

• Many voices push for lower import duties on fully built EVs, yet few invest in building a real ecosystem through local assembly and value addition. Localisation, unlike imports, creates sustainable jobs, skills, and business opportunities.

• Reducing import duties may accelerate short-term EV adoption and boost public confidence in the technology. However, pairing this with incentives and push for local assembly ensures sustainable growth and technology transfer.

• While advocacy for cheaper EVs is important, real momentum requires investment in infrastructure, viable charging solutions, and public pressure on policymakers. These efforts help create a stronger foundation for long-term industry growth.