Public transport’s role in East Africa’s green mobility push

• East Africa’s public transport sector, once synonymous with chaos and pollution, is now leading a quiet green revolution.
• From electric buses in Kenya to CNG-powered fleets in Tanzania, the region is ditching diesel for clean energy.
• Could this unexpected shift be the most defining leap to a sustainable future for urban mobility?

Across the populous cities and towns of East Africa, a quiet revolution is underway. The familiar roar of diesel engines is being replaced by the hum of electric buses, the whir of three-wheeled motorcycles, and the smooth glide of trains powered by clean energy.

Even Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is fueling fleets of buses and taxis, signaling a seismic shift as the region ditches oil for renewables. But here’s the twist: the unlikely hero of this green mobility transition isn’t high-tech startups, luxury carmakers or even woke government policymakers—it’s the public transport sector.

From Dar es Salaam to Kampala, Nairobi to Kigali, electric and CNG-powered vehicles are becoming the new face of public transport. Tanzania’s rapid transport system now boasts CNG buses, while Uganda is not only manufacturing electric buses but also eyeing exports to its neighbours.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia is rolling out sleek electric buses from China’s Golden Dragon, and Kenya and Rwanda are accelerating their e-bus adoption through innovative partnerships like the one between BasiGo and a consortium of regional banks.

In June 2023, Jones Kizihira, Chief Executive Officer, AC Mobility Rwanda stated, “We are excited to partner with BasiGo to drive Rwanda’s public bus electrification. The country has recorded rapid transformation, creating a need for a more robust and cost-effective public transport system. The electric buses will help ease the cost burden of public bus transporters and advance Rwanda’s transition to clean mobility. We look forward to leveraging BasiGo’s experience and network to build a strong electric bus business in Rwanda.”

Rwanda has unveiled an initiative to rapidly scale the size of Kigali’s public transport fleet while also aiming to convert 20 percent of the public bus fleet to electric by 2030.

In a region where public transport is often synonymous with chaos and carbon emissions, this green transformation is turning heads—and setting the stage for a cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable future.

Recently, a grand delivery ceremony was held at the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation in Addis Ababa, where five Golden Dragon pure electric light buses and four pure electric 12-meter buses were delivered.

“Notably, the four pure electric buses are the first new energy buses assembled locally in Ethiopia in KD form, marking a milestone breakthrough in the local new energy transportation sector,” reads the press report.

“We have been cultivating the Ethiopian market for nearly a decade and are now in an accelerated development phase,”  Jiang Yonghui, Vice President of Golden Dragon Bus said.

The total order includes 150 pure electric light buses and 100 pure electric 12-meter buses. Already, all the 150 pure electric light buses have been delivered, and the 100 pure electric bus have also arrived and are undergoing assembly in Ethiopia.

“These buses will operate in Addis Ababa to improve local public transportation, enhance travel convenience, and facilitate the electrification of local public transportation,” the report says.

The numbers: Electric vehicles across East Africa

Across the EAC, the total number of electric vehicles and motorcycles on the road is estimated to be between 5,000–9,000. This number is expected to grow significantly in the coming years as governments and private sectors invest in EV infrastructure, policies, and awareness campaigns. As of 2023, here’s a rough estimate based on available statistics and trends:

• Kenya: Kenya leads the EAC in EV adoption, with an estimated 3,000–5,000 electric vehicles and motorcycles on the road. This includes electric buses, cars, and two-wheelers, driven by government incentives, private sector initiatives, and growing awareness of environmental benefits.
• Rwanda: Rwanda is a pioneer in EV adoption in the region, with approximately 1,000–2,000 electric vehicles and motorcycles. The government has actively promoted EVs through policies, partnerships, and the introduction of electric motorcycles for public transport.
• Tanzania: Tanzania has a growing EV market, with around 500–1,000 electric vehicles and motorcycles. The focus has been on electric two-wheelers, particularly for delivery services and urban transport.
• Uganda: Uganda has seen a gradual uptake of EVs, with an estimated 500–1,000 electric vehicles and motorcycles. Local startups and government support for electric mobility are driving this growth.
• Burundi and South Sudan: These countries have minimal EV adoption, with fewer than 100 electric vehicles and motorcycles combined, due to limited infrastructure, awareness, and affordability.

Electric buses signal shift from fossil fuel

In the bigger picture of things, the electric buses mark a key shift from fossil fuel use to electricity as part of regional economies’ transition to renewable energy.

“Ethiopia has encouraged the development of electric buses and the transfer of related technologies while banning the import of fuel buses,” the report details.

Similarly, the project is operating under what is referred to as the “group export” which means more than buses, other components are also imported, that is, the three-electric system that includes battery, electric drive, and electric control.

“This project is not just about producing buses; it involves an entire production system and supporting usage system,” Yonghui said.

“We have brought charging stations, charging equipment, batteries, and other supply chain enterprises to take root locally, providing a comprehensive solution for pure electric busles and enabling the local commercial vehicle charging facilities to adopt Chinese standards,” he explained.

Read also: Bolt, TRÍ, and Watu launch new plan to accelerate eco-mobility with electric Bajajis

Tanzania CNG buses and rapid transport system

Authorities in Tanzania are exploring the purchase of it’s electric busses from East Africa’s electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Uganda.

“We are the first in Africa to establish a factory manufacturing electric vehicles, providing an opportunity for all African countries to supply raw materials to us,” the e-bus producer KMC chief executive officer, Mr Paul Musasizi, told press and a visiting delegation of Tanzanian transport sector stakeholders.

Uganda, which had been spending over $2 billion on fuel imports, is itself benefitting from the electric busses shift, a strategy that is poised to cut spending on oil imports.

“The factory has so far made over 40 vehicles being used as upcountry and commuter buses. They are operating in Kampala, Entebbe, and Jinja as we expand the manufacturing capabilities,” the CEO said.

He revealed that some $85 million has been invested increasing production from 3,000 buses annually and aiming to reach 5,000 annual production.

The visit by the Tanzanian delegation marks a key move by Tanzania as it explores the use of electric buses in it’s rapid transport system.

Currently, the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) agency uses CNG to duel its fleet of 755 buses. This fleet is growing as the country is expecting another 250 busses to arrive from China some time this year.

Whether it uses electric busses from Uganda and Ethiopia, or Tanzania looks set to advance it’s current CNG fleet, and like the rest of East Africa, moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy for it’s public transport system.

“The potential of the CNG buses to dramatically reduce operational costs, slash carbon emissions and enhance the efficiency of public transportation is huge,” a visiting Tanzanian delegate said.

To this end DART has this year invited qualified suppliers and investors to submit expressions of interest for the supply of CNG to fuel its rapid transport bus fleet.

“This move prioritises the use of domestic resources over costly imports. Given the recent volatility in fuel prices, which have been pushing production costs higher, this transition will serve as a safeguard, shielding consumers from the unpredictable surge in transportation costs driven by fluctuating fuel rates,” explains the  Dr. Venice Ndalichako a renowned economist in the country.

Tanzania, and most all other East African countries, are not only changing their buses from oil use to electricity and CNG but also their railway transport systems as well.

In this regard, Tanzania has signed a US$2.13 billion deal for the expansion of its electric Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Tanzania and Burundi to be funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The tender will be undertaken by a consortium of Chinese companies including the China Railway Construction Engineering Group and China Railway Major Bridge Group (CRCEG/ CRMBG). “The project is expected to be completed within 72 months,” reads the media report.

This segment of rail expansion is valued at US$2.13 billion and is funded by the AfDB, which will bring the pan-African lender’s total investment in Tanzania’s transport sector to US$2.5 billion or 70 per cent of the bank’s overall investments in the country.

What this also says is that more than individual country initiatives, the AfDB funding represents a continent wide move to renewables and away from oil despite on going explorations.

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