Roam Electric Launches Crowdfunding Drive to Scale Kenya’s E-Motorcycle Revolution Across Africa

Kenya’s electric mobility sector is experiencing a remarkable transformation, with electric motorcycles rapidly gaining market share in a country where motorcycle taxis, locally known as boda bodas, form the backbone of urban and rural transportation. In a groundbreaking move that democratizes investment access, Roam, one of Kenya’s leading electric motorcycle manufacturers, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube, Europe’s largest equity crowdfunding platform, inviting retail investors worldwide to participate in Africa’s clean energy transition.

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The Rapid Rise of Electric Motorcycles in Kenya

The Kenyan electric motorcycle market has demonstrated extraordinary growth over the past three years. Starting from virtually zero market share in 2021, electric motorcycles now account for 7% of the total motorcycle market as of 2024. Even more impressive, data from the first eight months of 2025 shows that electric motorcycles comprised 10% of all new motorcycle registrations in Kenya, indicating accelerating adoption rates that show no signs of slowing down.

This rapid market penetration reflects a fundamental shift in how motorcycle taxi operators view electric mobility. Recent conversations with boda boda riders in Nairobi reveal growing enthusiasm for electric motorcycles, driven primarily by economic considerations. The lower total cost of ownership of electric motorcycles compared to their internal combustion engine counterparts is solving real financial pain points for riders, many of whom operate on tight margins in a highly competitive industry.

The demand surge is tangible and quantifiable. Some players in East Africa’s electric motorcycle sector report waitlists of up to 700 people per week, a clear indication that the market has reached an inflection point. These aren’t speculative orders—these are real riders who have experienced the benefits firsthand or heard testimonials from their peers about the significant daily savings that electric mobility enables.

Roam’s Journey: From Startup to Industry Leader

Founded in 2017 as a research project at a Swedish university, Roam has evolved into a formidable force in Africa’s electric mobility landscape. The company was recognized as an Earthshot Prize Finalist in 2022, validating its innovative approach to sustainable transportation on the global stage. What began as an academic exploration of electric vehicle possibilities in African contexts has transformed into a commercial powerhouse with real-world impact measured in millions of kilometers traveled and tonnes of carbon emissions avoided.

Roam’s flagship product, the Roam Air electric motorcycle, represents years of iterative design and testing specifically tailored for African road conditions. The motorcycle has proven its mettle in demanding real-world applications, including a remarkable 6,000-kilometer solar-powered journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch in just 17 days, demonstrating not just the vehicle’s capability but the viability of clean energy infrastructure across the continent.

The company operates Roam Park, an impressive manufacturing facility in Nairobi with an annual production capacity exceeding 50,000 motorcycles. This positions Roam to scale production rapidly across the continent, leveraging Kenya’s power grid, which generates over 80% of its electricity from renewable sources—primarily geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar. This clean energy advantage gives Roam a unique selling proposition: electric motorcycles manufactured using renewable energy, creating a genuinely sustainable product from production through end-use.

The Crowdcube Campaign: Democratizing Investment in Africa’s Clean Transition

Roam’s decision to launch a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube, which has facilitated over £1.5 billion in investments for more than 1,300 companies since its founding in 2011, represents a significant departure from traditional fundraising approaches. Typically, capital raising for African startups has been the exclusive domain of venture capital firms and institutional investors. By opening this opportunity to retail investors, Roam is inviting its community—customers, supporters, and believers in the clean mobility mission—to become stakeholders in the company’s future.

“We’ve proven that electric mobility is possible, affordable, and scalable in Africa,” states Filip Lövström, CEO and co-founder of Roam. “This crowdfunding campaign is about inclusion. We want anyone within our community, and supporters of our mission, to now be able to join us on our continued journey as a shareholder.”

This inclusive approach aligns with broader trends in African fintech and financial inclusion. The campaign offers shares on the same terms as professional investors, with allocation on a first-come, first-served basis. Once filled, the opportunity will close, creating urgency for interested investors who want to participate in Africa’s electric mobility transformation.

The M-KOPA Partnership: Making Electric Motorcycles Accessible

A critical factor in Roam’s success has been its strategic partnership with M-KOPA, Africa’s largest pay-as-you-go financier. M-KOPA, which serves over 5 million underbanked Africans and is racing toward a $400 million annual revenue rate, has revolutionized access to productive assets across the continent through its innovative digital micropayment system.

Through this partnership, Roam Air motorcycles have become accessible to riders who would otherwise be unable to afford the upfront capital required for purchase. The pay-as-you-go model allows customers to make small daily payments while building their credit history over time. This approach has proven particularly effective in Kenya, where traditional banking services remain out of reach for many boda boda operators.

The financing model addresses a fundamental challenge in African markets: how to provide access to capital-intensive assets for populations earning less than $10 per day. By breaking down payments into manageable daily installments—often less than what riders would have spent on fuel for a traditional motorcycle—M-KOPA and Roam have created a pathway to ownership that aligns with the cash flow realities of motorcycle taxi operators.

Expanding Beyond Two Wheels: Charging Infrastructure and Support Services

Roam understands that selling electric motorcycles is only part of the equation. For the electric mobility revolution to succeed, comprehensive charging infrastructure and reliable after-sales support must be readily available. The company is actively building a network of charging stations powered by solar energy, with capacity to serve thousands of riders daily. This network already spans across Kenya and is supported by strategic partnerships with TotalEnergies and European grant funding.

The charging infrastructure strategy combines several approaches to ensure maximum convenience for riders. The Roam Hub system, based in containers equipped with fast chargers, can fully charge a Roam Air motorcycle in less than an hour. These hubs feature solar panels for energy generation and offer battery swapping services for riders who need immediate turnaround. Staff are available on-site for technical support and after-sales services, and some locations even include rest facilities for the country’s busy boda boda riders.

In a significant development for the industry, Roam recently launched Kenya’s first “ride-in, ride-out” service center in Nairobi. The facility uses a “first ride in” repair system where riders receive service immediately upon arrival, with the added transparency of watching their motorcycles being diagnosed and repaired. The center can serve 10 motorcycles simultaneously and up to 150 motorcycles per day, significantly reducing downtime—a critical factor for riders who depend on daily earnings to support their families and service their motorcycle loans.

The Vision for Interoperability

Perhaps most ambitiously, the Roam Nairobi Service Center represents the first step in a broader vision for interoperability. While the facility currently serves Roam Air riders exclusively, the long-term plan envisions a future where all electric motorcycles in Kenya, regardless of brand, can access servicing and charging under one roof. This industry-wide approach could prove transformative, as interoperability typically accelerates technology adoption by reducing fragmentation and creating network effects.

“This shop is built for riders,” explains Habib Lukaya, Roam’s Country Manager for Kenya. “Every hour a rider spends off the road is income lost. By giving fast and reliable service, we are helping them save more money every day while also preparing for a future where all electric motorcycles can use the same charging and service network.”

This collaborative approach stands in contrast to the walled-garden strategies often seen in emerging technology sectors. By prioritizing ecosystem development over proprietary control, Roam is betting that a rising tide will lift all boats—and that the long-term success of electric mobility in Africa depends on cooperation rather than competition in infrastructure and support services.

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Integration with Ride-Hailing Platforms

Roam’s electric motorcycles have also found their way onto major ride-hailing platforms, with both Bolt and Uber offering their drivers sustainable alternatives for urban transport. This integration into existing commercial frameworks provides additional validation for the technology while creating new revenue opportunities for riders who choose electric motorcycles. The presence on these platforms also increases visibility for electric mobility, exposing more riders and passengers to the benefits of clean transportation.

For ride-hailing drivers, the economics are particularly compelling. The combination of lower operating costs, higher reliability, and reduced maintenance requirements means that electric motorcycle riders can often earn more per shift than their counterparts using traditional petrol-powered bikes. This economic advantage is gradually shifting perceptions within the rider community, transforming electric motorcycles from novelty items into preferred business tools.

The Broader African Context: A $15 Billion Market

Roam’s expansion comes at a time when the African motorcycle market represents enormous opportunity. Valued at over $15 billion annually, it stands as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing mobility sectors. The vast majority of these motorcycles are used for commercial purposes—transporting passengers, delivering goods, and enabling last-mile logistics in areas where road infrastructure makes four-wheeled vehicles impractical.

The transition to electric vehicles in Africa has been notably different from patterns observed in developed markets. Rather than being driven by government mandates or heavy subsidies, the shift toward electric motorcycles has been predominantly market-driven, led by private sector companies—often startups—responding to real economic pain points experienced by riders. This organic, bottom-up adoption suggests greater sustainability and resilience than policy-dependent transitions.

Most of the development in Africa’s electric motorcycle sector has concentrated along what industry observers now call the “boda belt”—a stretch of countries from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal, where motorcycle taxis have become the primary mode of transport for millions. There is also significant activity in North African markets such as Morocco, though the use case differs, with smaller scooters used primarily for personal transportation rather than commercial taxi services.

Local Manufacturing and Economic Impact

Roam’s commitment to local manufacturing extends beyond simple assembly operations. The Generation 2 Roam Air, launched in June 2025, features over 40 locally produced components, including plastic, metal, and electronic parts. This level of localization qualifies Roam for Kenya’s Duty Remission Scheme, which requires manufacturers to localize 11 key parts—but Roam has gone significantly beyond this minimum threshold.

As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Roam owns its designs and tooling, enabling greater local value addition and long-term affordability. This approach creates jobs not just within Roam’s facilities but throughout the supply chain, from component manufacturers to logistics providers. The economic multiplier effect of this localization strategy could prove substantial as production scales up to meet growing demand.

Monicah Mwalo, Roam’s Production Manager, emphasized the importance of community involvement in the redesign process for the Generation 2 model: “We didn’t just update a few features—we rethought the motorcycle with input from the people who use it every day.” This rider-centric design philosophy, combined with local manufacturing capabilities, positions Roam uniquely among electric vehicle manufacturers operating in Africa.

Environmental and Social Impact

The environmental benefits of electric motorcycle adoption extend beyond simple emissions reductions. By displacing petrol-powered motorcycles, each Roam Air contributes to improved urban air quality, reduced noise pollution, and decreased dependence on imported fossil fuels. For Kenya, which already generates the majority of its electricity from renewable sources, the transition to electric motorcycles creates a genuinely clean transportation solution from source to use.

The social impact is equally significant. By enabling riders to save approximately 30% of their daily income through reduced operating costs, electric motorcycles directly improve the livelihoods of some of Africa’s most economically vulnerable workers. For riders who can save an additional $5-10 per day, the cumulative annual savings can represent the difference between subsistence and financial security, enabling investments in children’s education, healthcare, or other business opportunities.

The Path Forward: Scaling Across Borders

Roam’s crowdfunding campaign aims to provide capital for continued expansion beyond Kenya’s borders. The company’s charging infrastructure is described as “ready to scale across borders,” with the technology, operational experience, and partnership frameworks already in place. Target markets likely include other East African nations such as Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, where motorcycle taxi culture is similarly entrenched and where the economic case for electric motorcycles mirrors Kenya’s experience.

The timing appears opportune. As more riders in the region witness the success of their Kenyan counterparts, cross-border word-of-mouth marketing creates natural demand. Additionally, regional economic integration initiatives within the East African Community facilitate the movement of goods and services, potentially smoothing regulatory and operational challenges for cross-border expansion.

Investment Considerations and Risks

While the opportunity is substantial, potential investors should carefully consider the risks inherent in early-stage companies operating in emerging markets. The electric motorcycle sector in Africa, while growing rapidly, remains nascent with evolving competitive dynamics. Regulatory frameworks continue to develop, and infrastructure challenges—from electricity grid reliability to road conditions—pose ongoing operational hurdles.

Currency risk represents another consideration, as Roam operates in markets where local currencies can be volatile against major international currencies. Supply chain dependencies, particularly for battery cells and electronic components that must be imported, create exposure to global commodity price fluctuations and geopolitical disruptions.

That said, Roam has demonstrated remarkable execution to date, progressing from concept to commercial manufacturing facility in less than a decade. The company’s partnerships with established players like M-KOPA and TotalEnergies provide both financial stability and operational credibility. Recognition as an Earthshot Prize Finalist and coverage in major international media outlets have raised the company’s profile and attracted attention from potential strategic partners.

The Bigger Picture: Africa’s Energy Transition

Roam’s story is ultimately part of a larger narrative about Africa’s energy transition and economic development. The continent faces a unique opportunity to leapfrog the high-carbon development pathways followed by industrialized nations, moving directly to clean energy systems without the burden of extensive fossil fuel infrastructure that must be retired.

Kenya’s success in generating over 80% of its electricity from renewable sources demonstrates that clean energy leadership is not the exclusive province of wealthy nations. With abundant renewable resources—from Kenya’s geothermal potential to the solar resources across much of the continent—Africa has the natural endowments necessary for a clean energy revolution. What has historically been missing is the capital, technology, and business models to unlock this potential at scale.

Companies like Roam are helping to fill this gap, demonstrating that commercially viable, scalable clean technology solutions can be developed in Africa, for Africa. The success of these ventures could accelerate the continent’s economic development while avoiding the environmental costs that accompanied industrialization elsewhere.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Clean Technology in Africa

Roam’s crowdfunding campaign represents more than just a capital raise for a single company. It’s an invitation for global citizens to participate directly in Africa’s clean technology transition, to own a stake in the companies building sustainable solutions for real-world problems, and to support economic models that prioritize inclusion and community benefit alongside commercial success.

For boda boda riders across Kenya and eventually across the continent, the proliferation of electric motorcycles means lower operating costs, reduced environmental impact, and greater economic opportunity. For cities, it means cleaner air and quieter streets. For Kenya and Africa more broadly, it means reduced fuel import dependence, increased local manufacturing capacity, and global leadership in clean mobility solutions.

By backing Roam’s campaign, private and retail investors could become part of this defining clean technology shift, supporting a company that is reducing emissions, cutting fuel dependency, and empowering millions of entrepreneurs across Africa. The opportunity is time-limited, offered on a first-come, first-served basis until the allocation is filled.

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By: Montel Kamau

Serrari Financial Analyst

11th November, 2025