Africa's electric motorbike future can be built locally and powered by solar — our 6000km ride shows what’s possible

A recent 6,000km expedition from Nairobi to Stellenbosch, undertaken by a team of engineers from Stellenbosch University, has provided compelling evidence that Africa can forge its own path in electric mobility. The journey, powered exclusively by solar energy, showcased the viability of locally produced electric motorbikes tailored to the continent's unique road conditions and usage patterns.

In many African nations, motorcycles are indispensable workhorses, serving as the primary mode of transport for millions. They carry people, goods, and medicines, bridging gaps in public transportation infrastructure and providing essential livelihoods. The current fleet of 27 million motorcycles in sub-Saharan Africa is overwhelmingly conventional; electric models, which offer cleaner and cheaper energy, represent a mere 0.1%.

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Across much of Africa, motorcycles are not leisure vehicles. They are workhorses. They carry commuters, schoolchildren, goods, medicines and deliveries. For millions of people, they provide the most affordable and accessible form of transport, while also creating livelihoods for riders and small businesses.

This expedition was more than just a test of a vehicle; it was a validation of a potential future. The findings suggest that electrifying this segment of transport is both technically and economically feasible. Electrifying Nairobi's 'boda bodas,' for instance, could slash carbon emissions by 85%, with solar-powered systems proving more efficient for battery swapping than home charging.

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It’s been estimated that electrifying the segment would reduce total cost of ownership for riders by 35% to 40%, improve urban air quality, cut greenhouse gas emissions and lower dependence on imported fuel.

Furthermore, the research underscores a significant industrial opportunity. Africa should not merely be a consumer of electric vehicles designed elsewhere. Instead, the continent possesses the potential to become a hub for manufacturing, adapting, and innovating electric two-wheelers that meet its specific demands – vehicles robust enough for rough roads, capable of carrying heavier loads, and designed for the long operating hours characteristic of African usage.

The implications extend beyond environmental benefits. Electrifying motorcycles could reduce the total cost of ownership for riders by 35-40%, improve urban air quality, and lessen reliance on imported fossil fuels. This initiative aligns perfectly with the growing focus on local manufacturing and sustainable development across the continent, presenting a tangible pathway towards a more self-reliant and environmentally conscious future for African mobility.

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Africa should not simply become a market for electric vehicles designed and manufactured elsewhere. It should become a place where they are built, adapted and improved for African conditions.