Bolt Becomes Nairobi’s Largest EV Ride-Hailing Platform as Electric Fleet Hits 40%

Bolt has officially become the largest operator of electric motorbikes in Kenya’s ride-hailing sector, announcing today that over 40% of its boda boda fleet is now electric. This milestone positions the mobility giant at the forefront of the country’s green transport revolution, significantly outpacing competitors in the race to electrify last-mile connectivity.

In a statement released on Monday, the company confirmed it has successfully onboarded over 1,700 riders financed through its strategic partnership with fintech platform M-KOPA. This achievement comes months ahead of its original 2025 targets, signaling an accelerated shift away from fossil-fuel-dependent transport in Nairobi.

The surge in adoption is largely attributed to the removal of financial barriers. Through the collaboration with M-KOPA, riders can access electric bikes via flexible pay-as-you-go financing models. This approach addresses the high upfront cost of electric vehicles (EVs), which has historically been the primary hurdle for boda boda operators.

Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt’s Senior General Manager for East Africa, termed the achievement a pivotal step for clean mobility in the region.

“Kenya is at the forefront of clean mobility in Africa,” Kanyankole said. “By reaching [over] 30% electric bike penetration and onboarding 1,500 M-KOPA-supported riders, we are demonstrating that sustainability and improved rider livelihoods can go hand in hand.”

The transition is driven by economics as much as environmental policy. With fuel prices remaining volatile, electric bikes offer riders significantly lower daily operating costs, primarily through cheaper charging compared to petrol and reduced maintenance needs.

Nena Sanderson, Chief Product Officer and Managing Director at M-KOPA Mobility, emphasized the appetite for these alternatives. “Our partnership with Bolt is proving that when financing barriers are removed, riders are eager to adopt cleaner and cheaper electric alternatives,” she noted.

Data from Bolt’s end-of-year report highlights the scale of this shift: the platform recorded 4.8 million EV rides over the past year alone. This figure underscores a growing consumer preference for sustainable transport options and cements Kenya’s status as a continental leader in e-mobility adoption.

Bolt’s milestone aligns with Kenya’s broader National E-mobility Policy, which aims to promote local assembly and adoption of EVs to reduce carbon emissions. The sector has seen intense activity recently, with players like Roam and Ampersand ramping up local assembly, while financing partners like M-KOPA facilitate the distribution.

By capturing a 40% EV fleet share, Bolt effectively puts pressure on other ride-hailing apps to accelerate their own sustainability strategies or risk falling behind in a market where operating costs are dictating rider loyalty.

Bolt has confirmed plans to further expand its fleet in 2026 through new financing partnerships and collaborations with charging network providers to support the growing number of EVs on Nairobi’s roads.