BasiGo, a Kenyan electric mobility startup, has secured a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to bolster its expansion into Rwanda. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, BasiGo focuses on providing eco-friendly transportation solutions through electric buses. The funding will directly support the startup's electric bus pilot in Kigali, Rwanda, facilitating collaboration with local bus operators and enabling the rapid scaling of electric buses in the country. BasiGo's approach involves mileage-based leases and breaking barriers to electric bus adoption, and the company has already provided over one million rides in Kenya. With plans to deliver two hundred e-buses in Rwanda by 2025 in partnership with Tap&Go Rwanda, BasiGo aims to address the country's need for seven hundred additional buses in its public transport sector, aligning with Rwanda's goal of achieving a 20 percent electric bus fleet by 2030.
BasiGo's success and strategic positioning in East Africa's electric mobility landscape are evident through its $10.9 million raised to date, showcasing investor confidence. The startup's expansion to Rwanda signifies a significant milestone, unlocking new avenues to positively impact regional transportation infrastructure. The USAID grant further validates BasiGo's scalable model, emphasizing its commitment to sustainable mobility goals in Rwanda and beyond.