Q&A: Electric bicycles’ impact in Africa

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Uganda’s eBee is emerging as a pioneer in the electric bicycle space by offering a fresh approach to urban mobility. Hakim Owiny, the ESG Manager at eBee Uganda, says the company is bridging infrastructure, affordability and social equity gaps, with over 350 electric bicycles already deployed across cities like Kampala and Jinja.

• “Electric bicycles are ideal for African cities, they help riders manage long distances and hilly terrain while dodging traffic and cutting costs,” he says. Yet barriers persist, roads are still vehicle-centric, and bicycles remain stigmatised as ‘poor man’s transport’. 

• Mr. Owiny warns that ESG awareness remains confined to boardrooms and must be translated into local, relatable terms. Rather than compete with other e-bike startups, eBee prefers collaboration, seeing the true challenge as outdated planning systems and policy inertia.

More details

What role does eBee play in Uganda’s e-mobility landscape?

Mr. Owiny: eBee plays a dual role, as both a business and an advocacy organisation within Uganda’s growing e-mobility ecosystem. On one hand, we distribute and promote electric bicycles to individuals and businesses, focusing on affordability and practical use cases like last-mile delivery. On the other hand, we actively advocate for better cycling infrastructure and inclusive transport policies, engaging city authorities and national policymakers. We believe e-mobility adoption isn’t just about the vehicle.

Why are electric bicycles suitable for African cities?

Mr. Owiny: Electric bicycles are especially practical in many African cities because of the hilly terrain, congested roads, and long commuting times. Unlike traditional bicycles, they assist riders uphill and over long distances without excessive physical exertion, making them ideal for daily use. They also offer cost savings in fuel, allow flexible travel, and reduce traffic delays significantly. In terms of environmental benefits, they generate far less waste and emissions than both motorcycles and electric cars.

What is the main barrier to adoption in Uganda?

Mr. Owiny: The biggest barrier is infrastructure; our roads are predominantly designed for cars, with cyclists often treated as an afterthought. Safety concerns arise from this, making it difficult to convince people to switch modes of transport, even when the benefits are clear. Additionally, cultural perceptions, especially around cycling being for the poor, limit enthusiasm, particularly among professionals and women. Without visible infrastructure and public campaigns normalising cycling, adoption remains a slow process requiring persistent advocacy.

How affordable are eBee’s bicycles for ordinary Ugandans?

Mr. Owiny: Affordability is a real challenge, which is why we offer multiple access models. We provide rental options for as low as 250 Ugandan shillings daily, and we also have asset financing options that allow users to pay in manageable instalments. For youth in low-income areas, we run last-mile delivery training programmes that include mentorship and access to bicycles, allowing them to earn a living. While this makes the bikes more accessible, the wider population still struggles with upfront costs due to limited disposable income and a low saving culture.

What is the current adoption rate of electric bicycles?

Mr. Owiny: Currently, we have around 350 electric bicycles in active use across Uganda, which includes urban centres like Kampala and smaller towns like Jinja. While this number may seem small, it represents meaningful progress in a market where awareness and affordability are major hurdles. We’ve seen unexpected adopters, such as security companies, clean cooking enterprises, and individual entrepreneurs, embrace the model. Growth is steady, and with more education and infrastructure, we expect adoption to accelerate.

How is eBee addressing gender stereotypes in cycling?

Mr. Owiny: We’ve identified deep-rooted gender stereotypes, especially in western Uganda, where women cycling is still seen as taboo. To counter this, we’ve partnered with organisations like UNEP to run women-focused projects that offer training and access to electric bicycles in more inclusive regions like Jinja. We also include women in our technical academy, where they are trained in bicycle assembly and maintenance; skills traditionally reserved for men. Our goal is not just mobility access, but empowerment and transformation of gender norms through practical inclusion.

Is eBee exploring carbon credits?

Mr. Owiny: Yes, we are exploring how to quantify our emissions savings and qualify for carbon credit programmes. Every battery swap represents kilometres travelled without emissions, and our logistics riders often do 140 km daily using e-bikes; distances that would otherwise be covered by fuel-powered motorcycles. We’re currently analysing our battery swap data to calculate total emissions mitigated, with the aim of linking that to potential carbon credit earnings. While the carbon market in Africa is still evolving, we believe this could become a strong financial mechanism to support our growth.

What are your top three policy priorities for boosting e-mobility?

Mr. Owiny: First, we need stable tax incentives that last more than one financial year. Businesses need long-term certainty to plan and invest. Second, we need inclusive infrastructure, especially protected cycle lanes that make riding safe for all demographics, including women and people with disabilities. Lastly, ESG education and communication must improve; most companies and institutions still don’t fully understand their responsibilities or opportunities in environmental, social, and governance practices, and without widespread understanding, progress will remain slow and fragmented.

How do you view collaboration versus competition in Uganda’s e-bike market?

Mr. Owiny: We don’t see other players as competitors; at least not in the traditional sense. The market is still wide open, with millions of daily commuters and very low adoption rates. Rather than fight over small slices, we prefer to collaborate on advocacy, public education, and infrastructure lobbying. If we can grow the market together and raise awareness, everyone in the industry benefits. Our main rivals are not other startups; are car-centric planning, policy delays, and outdated perceptions.

How does eBee approach ESG, and what challenges exist in that space?

Mr. Owiny: At eBee, ESG is not a formality; it’s embedded in how we operate. Environmentally, we track emissions reductions from battery swaps, and we’re actively exploring carbon credit trading. Socially, we’ve trained women and youth through our academy and offered employment through our delivery services, breaking stereotypes along the way. On governance, we maintain transparency, traceability, and regulatory compliance. However, the biggest challenge is that ESG awareness remains limited, especially outside corporate boardrooms, so part of our mission is to democratise this knowledge and make it relevant to everyone, from matatu drivers to policymakers.