In the sprawling cities of Africa, public transport is the circulatory system of urban life. Yet for decades, the system has been powered by aging, diesel-fueled minibuses—polluting, noisy, and increasingly unsustainable.
BasiGo, a Kenyan electric mobility company founded in 2021, is on a mission to change that. By building a pay-as-you-drive model for electric buses, BasiGo is helping public transport operators in Nairobi—and soon across East Africa—transition to cleaner, quieter, and cheaper urban transport.
Rather than waiting for large infrastructure overhauls or state subsidies, BasiGo is offering an immediately practical solution: electric buses that operators can lease by the kilometer, backed by charging stations, maintenance, and fleet support.
Name: BasiGo
Founded: 2021
Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
Business Model: Electric buses on a Pay-As-You-Drive model
Target Market: Matatu operators and city bus fleets
Fleet Size: 100+ electric buses deployed or in production (as of 2025)
Charging Infrastructure: Grid-connected depots in Nairobi; solar-hybrid pilots underway
Backers: Novastar Ventures, CFAO, Mobility54, British International Investment
Partners: Kenya Power, Nairobi City Council, SACCOs, Chinese EV manufacturers
Expansion Plans: Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia
For decades, the main barrier to electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Africa hasn’t been awareness—it’s been affordability. A new electric bus costs 3–4x more upfront than a diesel equivalent.
BasiGo solves this by flipping the cost model. Its “Pay-As-You-Drive” plan allows bus owners and SACCOs (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations) to acquire electric buses with no upfront capital. Instead, they pay a daily fee per kilometer driven, which covers:
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Vehicle use
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Battery maintenance
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Charging services
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Telematics and fleet monitoring
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Spare parts and routine servicing
This model enables matatu operators—often informal but highly active—to upgrade their fleets without incurring unsustainable debt.
Cleaner Air, Lower Costs
BasiGo’s buses reduce tailpipe emissions to zero, cut noise pollution dramatically, and help operators save up to 40% on fuel and maintenance costs. With Kenya’s power grid already powered by 80% renewable energy (primarily geothermal and hydro), the climate impact is immediate.
In pilot programs, passengers have reported smoother rides, more reliable schedules, and a cleaner onboard experience. For drivers, BasiGo buses come with ergonomic seating, automatic transmissions, and less mechanical wear.
It’s not just a vehicle upgrade—it’s a complete reimagining of the commuting experience.
Local Assembly, Local Jobs
To avoid dependence on imports, BasiGo has begun assembling buses locally in Kenya, in partnership with Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM) and supported by CFAO Mobility.
This approach not only reduces costs and import duties—it creates local jobs in assembly, servicing, charging infrastructure installation, and fleet management. In the long term, BasiGo aims to develop localized EV supply chains, including component manufacturing and battery recycling partnerships.
What the Industry Can Learn
BasiGo’s fast traction offers lessons for public transport innovators, climate tech investors, and municipal planners:
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Cost structure matters more than technology. Flexible financing unlocks adoption faster than hardware alone.
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EV adoption can be operator-led. Private sector SACCOs can lead the transition if given tools, not subsidies.
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Charging must be bundled. Building EVs without grid infrastructure is a dead end—BasiGo integrates both.
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Policy tailwinds accelerate scale. Government collaboration on standards and incentives matters.
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Mobility can lead decarbonization. Transport is one of the fastest ways to reduce urban emissions visibly.
The Road Ahead
BasiGo is now scaling to deploy 1,000+ electric buses across East Africa by 2026, with partnerships under development in Rwanda and Uganda. The company is also exploring battery swapping pilots, solar-powered depots, and carbon credit monetization to enhance its unit economics and climate impact.
With support from DFIs, climate funds, and private equity, BasiGo is positioning itself as Africa’s blueprint for electrified public transport—affordable, operator-centric, and infrastructure-aware.
About the Author
Aurel Kinimbaga is a contributor specializing in innovation, inclusive growth, and business strategy across African markets. He writes regularly on entrepreneurship, digital infrastructure, and the economic forces shaping the continent’s future.