Bolt has announced a major breakthrough in its push for cleaner urban transport, revealing that electric motorbikes now account for more than 40 per cent of its two-wheel fleet in Kenya.
The shift positions the company as the country’s largest provider of electric ride-hailing services and signals growing momentum in Nairobi’s transition to green mobility.
The company also confirmed that over 1,700 riders have joined its platform through M-KOPA’s financing programme—surpassing Bolt’s 2025 target months ahead of time. The partnership allows riders to acquire electric motorbikes through flexible payment plans, easing entry into the market and helping reduce daily operating costs.
According to Bolt, the rapid uptake of electric bikes is central to its long-term strategy to cut emissions and boost rider earnings. EV motorbikes are significantly cheaper to run than petrol models, with riders saving on both fuel and maintenance—key expenses that often erode profits in the boda boda business.
“Kenya continues to lead the continent in clean mobility, and today’s milestone reflects our commitment to scaling affordable and sustainable transport,”
said Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt’s Senior General Manager for East Africa.
“Crossing the 40 per cent electric mark and onboarding 1,700 riders through M-KOPA shows that environmental impact and better livelihoods can progress together.”
Transport remains one of the fastest-growing contributors to emissions in urban areas, and electric bikes are increasingly seen as an essential solution to improving air quality and cutting carbon output in fast-expanding cities like Nairobi and Mombasa.
M-KOPA Mobility’s Managing Director and Chief Product Officer, Nena Sanderson, noted that the transition is gaining pace now that financial barriers have been eased.
“Our work with Bolt shows that once riders have access to flexible financing, they are very willing to embrace cleaner, more affordable electric alternatives. Reaching 1,700 riders is a strong start—we aim to expand this even further.”
Bolt’s data for the past year underscores the growing appetite for greener mobility. The platform recorded 4.8 million electric-bike trips, highlighting Kenya’s rapid adoption of EV transport and strengthening its position as a regional leader in e-mobility.
The company plans to scale up its electric fleet over the coming year through new financing partnerships, rider support initiatives and deeper collaborations with manufacturers and charging infrastructure providers—aiming to push Kenya even further along the path toward sustainable urban transportation.
