In a region historically dependent on diesel fueled minibuses and over burdening transit systems, Kenya’s BasiGo is driving a clean energy revolution, one electric bus at a time.
Founded in 2021 by Jit Bhattacharya and Jonothan Green , BasiGo has quickly become a rising star in Africa’s growing e-mobility ecosystem. The Nairobi based company has already logged over 1.5 million kilometers in electric travel, delivered more than 21 eclectic buses, and carried 2.1 million passengers as of mid 2025. With recent funding and regional expansion underway, BasiGo is poised to transform East Africa’s transportation sector.
The Spark Behind the Startup
The vision was simple yet radical, electrifying Kenya’s matatu style public buses using clean energy, while making the switch affordable for local bus operators. Jit Bhattacharya, a veteran of electric vehicle innovation at Tesla and Mission Motors, saw Kenya as an ideal proving ground.
“Kenya has one of the cheapest eclectic grids in the world,” Bhattacharya says, “powered largely by geothermal and hydro. So the shift to electric vehicles isn’t just about reducing local emission, it’s about leveraging renewable power to transform mobility.”
Their pilot program began with just a few buses in Nairobi. But within months, commuters began to notice the smooth ride, quieter engines, and lack of exhaust fumes.
The Pay As You Drive Model
Electric buses can be expensive upfront, with price tags topping $200,000. BasiGo solves this with an innovative Pay As You Drive model. Operators lease the buses at a fraction of the cost and pay a daily fee that includes battery maintenance, charging, and servicing.
This model has proven highly attractive to the thousands of private operators who dominate East Africa’s transit sector.
Charging Up the Future
To support its fleet, BasiGo has invested in a network of fast charging stations across Nairobi. Each e-bus is capable of traveling over 250 kilometers per charge, enough to handle a full day’s route. Charging takes 2-4 hours and is scheduled during off-peak hours.
In 2024, BasiGo partnered with Kenya Power and the government to build additional charging hubs and secure discounted off-peak energy rates. These moves have lowered operational costs and increased scalability.
From Kenya to Rwanda: Expansion on the horizon
In March 2025, BasiGo announced its entry into Rwanda, partnering with kigali-based companies to deploy 20 buses in the capital city. Rwanda’s government, which banned the import of used diesel buses in 2023, has shown aggressive support for clean transit alternatives
Bhattacharya calls Rwanda “the perfect next step” for BasiGo’s regional ambitions.
“Rwanda shares Kenya’s commitment to climate goals and smart urban planning. We see it as a springboard into Francophone Africa as well.”
Economic and environmental impact
According to company data, BasiGo’s fleet has helped avoid over 1,200 metric tons of CO2 emissions. The buses also create cleaner air quality in urban areas and reduced reliance on expensive imported fuel.
Economically, the company has created over 150 jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and operations, and supports dozens of small fleet owners.
Government officials are beginning to take note. Nairobi’s transportation director, Alice Njeri, recently praised the initiative:
“BasiGo proves that green transit isn’t a luxury, it’s an economic and environmental necessity.”
The Road Ahead
BasiGo is more than just a transportation company, it’s a blueprint for what sustainable innovation can look like across Africa. With smart financing, clean energy infrastructure, and regional cooperation, the electric future is now within reach.
And if BasiGo has anything to do with it, diesel fumes and noisy engines may soon be relics of the past.
