Africa Forward Summit key for Kenya’s green transport push

The upcoming Africa Forward Summit is expected to boost Kenya’s green transport ambitions as local electric mobility firms seek funding, partnerships and international exposure to expand clean energy transport solutions.

The summit, scheduled for May 11–12 in Nairobi, is jointly hosted by Presidents William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron of France. It marks the first time since 1973 that an Africa-France Summit is being held in an English-speaking African country.

The forum is expected to attract about 30 African Heads of State, more than 1,500 business leaders and global investors, creating opportunities for investment partnerships between Africa and France.

Among firms hoping to benefit is Lunghou Teketeke, a Kenyan electric mobility company assembling electric motorcycles and three-wheel tuk-tuks at its plant along Mombasa Road.

Managing Director Richard Chesebeh said the summit offers an opportunity to showcase Kenya’s homegrown e-mobility technology to potential investors, especially from France.

“We really find this an opportunity to showcase our ability and work with partners, especially the French, who are coming up to provide funding for our homegrown solutions,” Chesebe said.

The company is seeking about Ksh.1 billion to expand solar-powered charging stations and battery-swapping infrastructure across the country.

Chesebe said the company aims to bridge the gap between fossil fuel transport and electric mobility by offering practical last-mile transport solutions.

“We realized there has been a huge gap between fossil fuel use and e-mobility because nobody came up with a solution giving last-mile support,” he said.

The company manufactures batteries locally and develops electric bikes that can travel between 150 and 250 kilometres on a single charge using ordinary household electricity connections.

Lunghou Teketeke is targeting boda boda riders, dairy farmers, women groups and waste collectors with affordable electric transport options aimed at lowering fuel costs.

The firm has already piloted projects in Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Nandi Hills and Narok counties and says the response has been positive.

Currently, the company supports about 450 jobs directly and indirectly through manufacturing, distribution and supply chain operations.

Chesebe also called for policy reforms to support conversion of fossil-fuel motorcycles into electric-powered bikes to accelerate adoption of e-mobility in Kenya.