In a strategic move towards sustainable transportation in Africa, Kigali-based electric transport energy company Ampersand has formed a partnership with Chinese manufacturing giant BYD.
This collaboration aims to accelerate the decarbonization of Africa’s commercial motorbike transport system, a initiative that has the potential to transform the mobility landscape for millions of riders while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Ampersand: Pioneering Electric Motorcycles in East Africa
Founded in 2016, Ampersand has been at the forefront of electric motorcycle innovation in East Africa. The company specializes in assembling and financing electric motorcycles that outperform traditional petrol-powered bikes in both cost-effectiveness and performance.
With over five million petrol motorcycle taxis currently operating across East Africa, Ampersand’s solution offers a cleaner, more economical alternative.
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Since its commercial launch in May 2019, Ampersand has experienced rapid growth. Their current fleet size exceeds 1,000 electric motorcycles, with projections to surpass 10,000 vehicles by late 2024.
The company’s potential for expansion was further validated when it secured $19.5 million in funding in January 2024.
The BYD Partnership: Scaling Up for Massive Impact
The collaboration with BYD, a world leader in electric vehicle technology, marks a significant milestone for Ampersand. This partnership will see Ampersand utilize BYD’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells, with the ambitious goal of building 40,000 electric motorcycles by the end of 2026.
The long-term vision is even more impressive, aiming to electrify a substantial portion of Africa’s 30 million commercial motorbikes.
Josh Whale, CEO of Ampersand, emphasized the importance of this partnership: “This partnership marks a major milestone for Ampersand as we continue to lead the charge in providing sustainable, cost effective, mass-market EV solutions. BYD’s world-leading battery cells and manufacturing scale, combined with Ampersand’s deep customer insight and technical product knowledge, will help fast track the electrification of Africa’s commercial motorcycles. Switching the millions of taxi and delivery two-wheelers to EV energy tech represents one of the world’s best value-for-money decarbonisation opportunities. At the same time, this transformation will save millions of hardworking motorcycle riders six hundred dollars each a year, driving clean economic prosperity.”
Benefits of Electric Motorcycles in Africa
The adoption of electric motorcycles in Africa offers numerous advantages. Riders can expect to save up to $600 annually, a significant amount that can greatly improve their quality of life.
The shift to electric vehicles will also lead to improved air quality, particularly in urban areas where motorcycle taxis are prevalent.
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From an economic perspective, this transition will stimulate growth in the green energy sector and create new job opportunities in manufacturing and maintenance. Additionally, by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, countries can move towards greater energy independence.
Ampersand’s Charging Infrastructure
As part of its comprehensive approach, Ampersand is also focusing on developing charging infrastructure. The company currently operates the largest charging network in Rwanda and Kenya, and plans to rapidly expand its charging stations alongside fleet growth.
This integrated strategy ensures that as more electric motorcycles hit the roads, there will be adequate support systems in place to keep them running efficiently.
