BasiGo has launched a partnership with AC Mobility in a move that will see the e-mobility company introduce electric buses in Kigali, Rwanda.

BasiGo Rwanda Ltd is focused on electrifying the public transport system in Rwanda, making the country the second in the African market to adopt the buses after their launch in Kenya.

AC Mobility is an automated fare collection system for public transport and the deal will deliver e-buses to Kigali operators by October through BasiGo’s Pay-As-You-Drive financing model.

BasiGo and AC Mobility signed letters of intent for the pilot project with Kigali Bus Service, Royal Express, and Volcano Express, which are three of Kigali’s leading public bus operators.

BasiGo CEO and Co-Founder Jit Bhattacharya noted that Rwanda has created an enabling ecosystem for e-mobility and the deal will fast track transition to electrified public transport.

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“Electric buses will bring bus operators freedom from rising fuel prices while also dramatically reducing air pollution and CO2 emissions,” said Bhattacharya.

He added, “Through our Pay-As-You-Drive model, we are excited to bring a complete E-Bus solution to make this technology affordable, accessible and convenient for all bus operators in Rwanda.”

AC Mobility Rwanda CEO Jones Kizihira has lauded the partnership with BasiGo saying it will enhance the electrification of transport and create a cost-effective public transport system.

“The electric buses will help ease the cost burden of public bus transporters and advance Rwanda’s transition to clean mobility,” intimated Kizihira.

He added, “We look forward to leveraging BasiGo's experience and network to build a strong electric bus business in Rwanda.”

Rwanda recently announced an initiative to rapidly scale up Kigali’s public transport fleet and the government aims to convert 20 per cent of its public bus fleet to electric by 2030.

BasiGo was founded in 2021 and introduced electric buses in Nairobi and has sold 19 e-buses to public transport operators while securing bookings for more than 100 more buses.

The company offers e-buses to private bus operators through a mileage-based leasing model called Pay-As-You-Drive, to make them more affordable to purchase and use.

BasiGo and AC Mobility target to deliver 200 electric buses to bus operators in Rwanda by the end of 2024 through the said financing model.