BasiGo, the leading provider of electric bus solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, has announced a major expansion of its operations in Rwanda with the imminent delivery of 28 new electric buses.
The first batch of these buses is currently en route and is expected to arrive in Kigali next month.
This expanded fleet will serve both city and inter-city routes, marking a significant step towards sustainable public transportation in the country.
The EV firm stated it has committed to deploying 100 electric buses across Rwanda in 2025, having secured the necessary capital last October.
The demand for electric buses has been robust, with over 360 reservations already placed by Rwandan bus operators looking to replace aging diesel buses or expand their fleets.
To support the deployment of these buses, BasiGo is also expanding its charging infrastructure network.
The Rwandex charging and service depot will be upgraded to include 1 MW of power, capable of reliably charging 25 electric buses each night.
Additionally, more charging stations will be deployed across the country to support inter-city operations.
Through its Pay-As-You-Drive model, BasiGo offers a complete package that includes charging, service and maintenance, insurance, and a 90% uptime guarantee, ensuring a seamless transition to electric buses for operators.
“BasiGo is proud to be delivering the largest shipment of electric buses to date into Rwanda,” said Jit Bhattacharya, CEO and Co-Founder of BasiGo.
“Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable transport has created an ideal environment for private sector investment and innovation into E-mobility. With this first major shipment of electric buses, BasiGo is proud to help Rwanda take a major step towards the goal of universal, electrified public transport for the country.”
BasiGo launched its Electric Bus pilot in Rwanda in December 2023, and since then, the company has grown its reservation book to over 360 units.
“Over the last 15 months, we have proven the reliability of our electric buses and the value of our model to the Bus Operators. We are confident in our capacity to meet the Rwandan bus market needs,” said Doreen Orishaba, Managing Director of BasiGo Rwanda.
To further bolster its expansion efforts, the compoany has strengthened its leadership team with the addition of Jones Kizihira as Head of Vehicle Asset Finance.
“Jones is an experienced leader in Rwanda’s public transport sector. We are delighted to have his experience and expertise as we rapidly scale,” added Ms. Orishaba.
In this strategic role, Mr Kizihira will lead the development of tailored financing solutions to accelerate the adoption of electric buses by Rwandan bus operators.
This expansion cements BasiGo’s role as a key player in Rwanda’s transportation transformation, aligning with the country’s Vision 2050 sustainability goals.
The deployment of 100 electric buses is expected to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 3,000 tons annually while creating hundreds of jobs for local communities.
