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Inside the Early Days of Electric Transport: Operator Experiences

On roads across Africa, buses and minibuses are a common sight – chugging along, blaring the latest songs in a cloud of black, acrid smoke. But in some parts of the continent, the classic private minibus is being replaced by new, clean, electric alternatives.

As African cities embark on electric transport adoption, bus and minibus operators are at the forefront – testing the robustness of technology, business models, and infrastructure resilience within the context of African cities. These early-stage experiences in countries such as Kenya, South Africa, and Namibia, can provide critical feedback on the viability, challenges, and future of electric fleets.

Nairobi, Kenya: Great Progress, But Capital Costs and Fragmented Urban Infrastructure Remain Hurdles

In Nairobi, Kenya, BasiGo launched its electric-bus pilot in March 2022 with a “Pay‑As‑You‑Drive” model that enabled matatu (the local slang for private minibus) operators to lease BYD K6 buses at minimal upfront cost, paying per kilometre for battery, charging, and maintenance. To date, operators have reported fuel-and-maintenance savings of up to 70%, quieter journeys, and positive passenger feedback. Nonetheless, high capital costs – around $200,000 per bus – limited charging stations, and the requirement for midday charging top-ups to complete routes highlight existing challenges. Nairobi’s informal urban layout and notorious traffic problems complicate route planning further. These early experiences show that while innovative finance can overcome upfront cost barriers, success relies on reliable grid access and expanded charging infrastructure – lessons critical for other dense metropolitan areas.

Cape Town, South Africa: Operators Explore Off-grid Charging to Offset Load-Shedding

In South Africa, bus operators in Cape Town and Johannesburg have begun piloting electric buses, revealing structural challenges. In Cape Town, Golden Arrow Bus Services has included depot-based solar charging systems, while the University of Johannesburg now operates five locally made electric buses for it’s shuttle services, which have proved extremely popular with students and earned widespread acclaim across the country. However, frequent electricity load‑shedding often disrupts charging schedules, and limited charging and maintenance infrastructure reduces vehicle uptime. Upfront bus prices remain high compared to diesel vehicles, and financing these assets also remains a hurdle in South Africa. Nevertheless, operators anticipate significant total lifecycle cost savings, and Cape Town’s growing solar infrastructure offers a buffer against ongoing grid instability. South Africa’s context exemplifies both the promise and operational realities that electric-fleet operators must account for.

Windhoek, Namibia: Municipal Council Greenlights Electric Bus Initiative to Promote Sustainable Public Transport

Namibia, on the other hand, has yet to fully launch electric bus services but is watching its neighbours closely. Windhoek’s Municipal Council has approved the revival of its Low-Carbon Public Transport Initiative, part of the Green Climate Fund-backed Move Windhoek Project, aiming to reduce emissions and improve public transport through the introduction of electric and hybrid buses. The plan includes a feasibility study to identify optimal routes for integrating the new buses into the city’s existing network, as well as grid capacity and cost–benefit analysis. Designed to ease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and support low-income commuters, the initiative aligns with Windhoek’s SMART Cities Strategy, which emphasises sustainable urban development. With new solar generation and a high-voltage transmission line underway to stabilise the grid, Namibia is setting the groundwork for future deployment. This cautious, pre-emptive planning may allow it to avoid early-stage challenges seen elsewhere by aligning policy and infrastructure from the outset.

The Future of Urban Transport Is Electric – But Phasing Out ICE Buses Won’t Happen Overnight

Early adopter experiences in Nairobi and Cape Town – and emerging interest in Namibia – underscore that while electric bus fleets in Africa hold promise, their success depends on aligning innovative business models, grid modernisation, and institutional readiness. These case studies offer both technical lessons and strategic insights on how to navigate the complex journey from pilot to scale.

Reference List

https://techcabal.com/2023/06/20/basigo-and-roam-electric-buses-nairobi/
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001465862/matatu-investors-eye-electric-buses-but-are-wary-of-unforeseen-shocks
https://techtrendske.co.ke/2025/06/11/basigo-electric-bus-expansion-kenya/
https://news.mongabay.com/2024/12/kenya-embraces-electric-buses-to-combat-climate-change-but-rollout-is-bumpy/
https://www.get-invest.eu/story/electric-buses-cut-emissions-and-keep-nairobi-moving/
https://iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/2025-03-18-transforming-public-transport-golden-arrows-electric-bus-fleet/
https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/western-cape-mobility-initiatives-introduce-electric-vehicles-06-apr-2025
https://www.esi-africa.com/industry-sectors/smart-technologies/uber-chinese-partnership-to-roll-out-evs-on-joburg-roads-in-2025/
https://economist.com.na/96581/environment/windhoek-city-fathers-greenlight-electric-bus-initiative-for-cleaner-future/
https://english.news.cn/africa/20250402/a7a0235ba8564ec498706982b526531a/c.html
https://news.uj.ac.za/news/moving-into-the-future-with-ujs-electric-buses/

About the author

Daniel Barham
Project Manager | e-Mobility, Clean-Tech, Digital Media

Daniel Barham

A highly motivated and resourceful project manager with extensive experience in the e-Mobility and energy management-infrastructure space. Passionate about Clean-Tech, and determined to work with an organisation that actively contributes towards sustainable international development.