In the heart of Shenzhen, China’s technological powerhouse, SRE Power has carved a niche as a global leader in innovative charging solutions. With a mission centered on e-mobility,” the company is extending its reach to Africa, partnering with one of the largest electric vehicle (EV) leaders, SPIRO, to catalyze a green transportation revolution in Kenya and Uganda. Their collaboration—marked by newly launched factories and ambitious infrastructure projects—highlights a growing global push toward sustainable mobility.
On March 26, SPIRO and SRE Power celebrated the launch of their first joint manufacturing facility in Kenya, a milestone in their quest to electrify Africa’s transport networks. The two parties confirmed that the construction of a second facility in Uganda is underway, with an 80% completion and full operations slated to begin in June.
“Following the successful establishment of our Kenya factory, the construction of our Uganda facility is also progressing steadily, now reaching 80% completion. The factory is set to be fully completed next month and is expected to commence production in June. This marks another significant milestone in our deep collaboration with SPIRO,” SRE wrote in a post on LinkedIn.
These factories will focus on producing electric motorcycles, battery-swapping systems, and charging infrastructure, underscoring a strategic effort to combat carbon emissions while addressing Africa’s unique mobility challenges.
The facilities are more than industrial ventures; they represent a fusion of Chinese technological expertise and African market insight. For SRE, a company with production bases in Dongguan and Malaysia, the projects align with its vision of delivering reliable, user-centric solutions. For SPIRO, a rising star in Africa’s EV sector, the partnership is a leap toward its goal of deploying electric motorcycles and swap stations across the continent.
SPIRO and SRE’s emphasis on battery-swapping technology addresses two critical African challenges: erratic electricity supply and low purchasing power. Swap stations, powered increasingly by solar energy, offer a practical alternative to home charging. Riders pay per swap, lowering upfront costs and aligning with the region’s pay-as-you-go economy.
Founded in Shenzhen, a city synonymous with tech innovation, SRE’s expansion into Africa through joint ventures reflects a strategic response to the continent’s e-mobility potential. Their collaboration with SPIRO is rooted in a shared commitment to sustainable development.
SPIRO, with its operations in Benin, Kenya, Rwanda, Togo, and Uganda, has emerged as a trailblazer in Africa’s EV sector. The company’s model hinges on battery-swapping technology—a system where riders exchange depleted batteries for charged ones at designated battery swap stations, eliminating lengthy charging times. This approach is particularly transformative in Africa, where grid instability and limited charging infrastructure pose barriers to EV adoption.
Since its inception in 2019, SPIRO has deployed over 30,000 electric bikes and 500 swap stations in the 6 countries where it has its operations in.
Kenya’s e-mobility ambitions take flight
Kenya’s new factory, which already kicked off operations, marks a critical step in the country’s green transition. The government has actively promoted e-mobility through policies like tax exemptions for EVs and investments in renewable energy. Under its National Climate Change Action Plan, Kenya aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030, with transport—a sector responsible for 13% of emissions—a key focus.
The SRE-Spiro facility will bolster these efforts by localizing the production of electric motorcycles, which dominate Kenya’s transport sector. Known as bodabodas, they account for over 80% of rural and urban mobility. Transitioning these to electric could cut emissions significantly while reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Kenya’s government says it is aiming for five percent of all registered vehicles to be electric-powered by 2030. Currently, the number of registered electric vehicles (EVs) is low, accounting for less than one percent of the total 4.4 million registered vehicles, according to government figures.
Uganda’s green transition gains momentum
In Uganda, where the second factory is nearing completion, similar dynamics are at play. The Ugandan government also introduced tax incentives for EV imports and partnered with private firms to develop charging infrastructure. Notably, early this month, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, unveiled the country’s first public EV charging station to accelerate electric mobility, reduce carbon emissions, and signal the country’s commitment to a greener future.
Uganda’s National Climate Change Policy targets a 22% reduction in emissions by 2030, with e-mobility integral to this vision.
The country is estimated to have between 1 and 1.2 million motorcycles, with the majority operating as “boda boda” (roughly 350,000 bodabodas are operating in Kampala, the country’s capital city); therefore, the potential for impact is vast. Local assembly also promises affordability—a key concern in a region where upfront EV costs remain prohibitive.
Government policies fueling the EV revolution
Both Kenya and Uganda have embraced public-private partnerships to accelerate e-mobility. Kenya’s 2023 Finance Act exempted EVs from value-added tax (VAT), while Uganda waived import duties on EV components. Such policies, coupled with investments in solar and hydroelectric power, create fertile ground for EV adoption.
“Governments are recognizing that e-mobility isn’t just about climate—it’s about energy security and economic resilience,” says a renewable energy expert. “Local manufacturing reduces import dependency and keeps revenue within the continent.”
Environmentally, the shift to EVs will reduce CO2 emissions by millions of tons annually, curbing air pollution in cities like Nairobi and Kampala, where there’s a high concentration of motorcycles.
Expansions of these factories will continue in other African countries where SPIRO has its operations, solidifying its position as Africa’s foremost EV innovator. And just like the factories in Kenya and Uganda, they will produce electric motorcycles and battery-swapping systems. In addition, create direct jobs and thousands more in ancillary sectors, from battery recycling to software development.
Yet challenges persist. Grid upgrades, consumer education, and policy consistency will determine the pace of adoption. Nonetheless, the partnership signals a broader trend: Africa’s e-mobility revolution is no longer looming—it’s here.
See also: Spiro and Equity Bank of Rwanda forge an EV financing pact
