Kenyan EV firm to launch operations in Ghana

From the newsletter

Greenwheels Africa, a Kenya-based EV fleet management company, is set to expand to West Africa, starting with Ghana. Founded in 2023, the firm has rapidly built a strong presence by partnering with leading EV players in Kenya, including Roam, Stima Boda and Arc Ride. It also secured a position as the official electric boda boda partner for Uber.

• Greenwheels operates a B2B model of leasing out drivers and electric motorcycles. By offering both, it takes on the full responsibility of fleet management, including maintenance, charging and driver operations. 

• The company hopes to disrupt the Ghanaian market, where existing companies focus on B2C sales. Demand for electric motorcycles in Ghana is high, with companies like Wahu Mobility, Kofa and Solar Taxi battling for market share. 

More details

• “We’re preparing to launch Greenwheels in Ghana — but before we go live, we’re focused on finding the people who will keep the wheels turning,” said Immaculate Ombui, the Human Resources Manager at Greenwheels Africa, in a LinkedIn post.

• Greenwheels Africa brings in riders through field recruitment drives and partnerships with operators, then puts them through structured onboarding. Training covers safety, customer service, and fleet management standards to ensure professional service. Drivers are placed on fixed or semi-fixed earnings, which creates predictable income, boosts retention, and delivers social impact through job stability.

• Since its founding in 2023, Greenwheels has scaled from a handful of pilot riders to more than 500 active drivers across Nairobi. Strategic partnerships with Uber, Roam, Stima Boda, and Arc Ride have anchored it in the e-boda ecosystem. This growth underlines the company’s ability to secure credibility quickly and position itself as a key operator in Kenya’s EV mobility shift.

• Accra, with its 2.8 million residents, presents a fertile ground for fleet electrification. Motorcycle taxis remain a dominant transport option in dense areas, driving natural demand for EV alternatives. Battery-swapping pioneers like Kofa already operate locally, providing Greenwheels with an ecosystem it can integrate into rather than build from scratch.

• The pivot from East to West Africa reflects a deliberate strategy rooted in access to capital and market scale. West Africa has consistently attracted more funding for EV ventures than East Africa in the last three years, giving new entrants a financing advantage. Moving into Accra also helps Greenwheels diversify its markets and avoid saturation pressures in Nairobi.

• Greenwheels’ B2B leasing model combines motorcycles, drivers, financing, and maintenance into one solution for businesses. This reduces entry barriers for OEMs and ride-hailing platforms by taking on operational complexity. The model also positions the company as a strategic partner for investors seeking scalable fleet electrification in West Africa.

• Nairobi has historically been more of a magnet than a launchpad, drawing in companies like Ampersand, Spiro, and Kofa rather than producing outbound expansions. Greenwheels defies this trend by being one of the few Nairobi-born e-mobility firms to scale outward. Its entry into Accra marks a rare reversal, signalling a new chapter in cross-border fleet electrification.

Our take

• Collaboration opportunities with existing charging and battery swapping providers reduce setup barriers. Greenwheels can focus on scaling fleets and rider recruitment instead of building infrastructure.

• Accra’s heavy reliance on motorcycle taxis creates a ready market for fleet management solutions. Greenwheels can tap into this demand by scaling quickly through local partnerships and operational efficiency.

• Ghana’s EV policy creates a friendlier market for fleet operators like Greenwheels by offering clear targets and phased adoption. This official backing reduces entry risk and positions Ghana as a strategic hub for their West African expansion.