Visit Kenya’s first fast motorcycle charging station

November 18, 2025

Dear subscriber,

Swapping has become almost synonymous with the electric motorcycle revolution taking shape in Africa. But can universal fast charging offer a cheaper and more convenient option for riders? Roam definitely thinks so.

Brian Ambani – Editor

Electric motorcycle company Roam has unveiled Kenya’s first public fast charging station for light electric vehicles like bicycles, motorcycles, scooters and tricycles. The Roam Point introduces a self-service charging system offering range of 10-20 km in under five minutes. Roam said it marks the start of a nationwide rollout of high-speed charging infrastructure. 

  • The majority of electric motorcycles in Africa rely on swap stations rather than rider charging. Fast charging should be attractive for motorcycle taxi riders who own their bikes and battery as it’s likely cheaper without taking much longer.  

  • Non-interoperability has been a key issue in the EV sector, limiting users to specific charging and swapping stations. The Roam Points seek to solve that as they are equipped with Type 6 connectors and open-charge standards. 

  • Our take: If Roam proves its universal fast charging model is commercially sustainable, other EV companies may follow… Read more (2 min)

Ethiopian EV startup Dodai has grown the number of its senior staff by 38% in the past year, according to an analysis of LinkedIn data by Mobility Rising. It shows the company has 54 senior staff listed on the platform, a growth of 15 from 39 in November last year. This makes Dodai one of the fastest growing EV firms in Africa based on workforce size (though far from the biggest).

  • Dodai raised $4 million in its Series A round last year, taking its total funding to over $7 million. The company, which makes electric scooters and motorcycles, is using the funding to hire new staff and increase its production capacity.   

  • Our analysis identified the presence of some Dodai senior staff in the neighbouring countries of Djibouti and Eritrea. This is a pointer of possible expansion by the company into new markets. 

  • Our take: Expect Dodai’s hiring streak to continue as it woos new investors for growth capital… Read more (2 min)

The limited number of swapping stations in Ghana is a major drawback for electric vehicles in the country. But ironically, fuel stations, which EVs threaten to hastily drive out of business, hold the key to widespread EV adoption, argues Mike Darkoh, the founder and CEO of Shipeazi Logistics. “They already have the locations, the land, and the network,” he says.

  • Mr Darkoh is a strategic growth consultant with five years of experience building startups, having successfully launched four to date. Three of these ventures are in the transport sector.

  • He has questions about the viability of EVs as the cost of swapping is nearly on par with the cost of petrol. However, expanding the network of swapping hubs can significantly reduce these costs while protecting jobs, he opines. 

  • Click here to view the full opinion… (2 min)

Spiro’s CEO Kaushik Burman (blue cap) receives a “Commendation for Democratizing Motorbike Ownership” in Uganda last Friday (Source: HiPipo)

Jobs

🛠️ Manage vehicle services at BasiGo (Rwanda)

🔋 Join Dodai as a Battery Swapper (Ethiopia)

👷🏻‍♀️ Become an EV maintenance lead at Kabisa (Rwanda)

Events

📅 Attend Powering Africa’s E-Mobility Transition webinar (Nov 19)

📅 Register for EV & Mobility Show in Morocco (Nov 19)

📅 Exhibit at Tanzania’s Sustainable Transport Week (Nov 24)

Various 

🔌 GAC South Africa introduces the first Plug-in Hybrid MPV

🏭 KG Mobility to build an assembly plant in Algeria

❌ South Africans have turned their back on new EVs

Seen on LinkedIn 

Inibehe Ufot, Executive Director at Elite Auto Haus, says, “Africa’s policymakers, investors, fleet operators, and innovators should already be thinking: How do we prepare for next-generation battery tech that will redefine cost, ownership, and mobility models?”