Their vision? To make electric transport accessible across Africa, from city buses to rural mobility.
By E.B Content Studio | E-Mobility Series
Nairobi’s rush hour is a cacophony of honking matatus, the heavy scent of diesel, and an unyielding sea of cars crawling through gridlock. Yet, slicing through the chaos like a breath of fresh air, there’s a revolutionary new bus—sleek, silent, and ready to harness the power of the sun.
This is the Roam Rapid, not just another electric bus, but one crafted with Africa’s streets and spirit in mind.
Built in Nairobi, for Nairobi
In 2022, Kenyan-Swedish innovator Roam (formerly Opibus) rewrote the rules of African mobility with a historic reveal: the Roam Rapid, the continent’s first locally manufactured electric mass transit bus. More than just a vehicle, it was a statement—a high-tech answer to East Africa’s unique challenges, engineered to conquer potholed streets, scorching heat, and packed urban routes without a whisper of emissions. With its debut, Roam didn’t just launch a bus; it sparked a transportation revolution, proving Africa’s electric future wasn’t on the horizon—it was already rolling down the road.
Here’s why the Roam Rapid was designed specifically with East Africa in mind:
- High ground clearance for rough roads
- Durable suspension for urban wear-and-tear
- Overnight charging for off-grid compatibility
- Seating capacity: 90+ passengers
- Range: 360 km per charge
“Most electric buses in the market were too expensive or not built for African roads. So we built our own,” says Dennis Wakaba, Roam’s Project Coordinator.
What makes it unique?
Unlike imported EVs that arrive at Kenyan ports with hefty price tags and little local impact, Roam’s electric buses come to life on home soil. In the heart of Nairobi’s industrial zones, sparks fly and welding torches dance as skilled hands assemble each bus from the ground up. Roam partners with local suppliers and metal fabricators, turning raw steel and electric dreams into sleek, road-ready machines—fueling not just transportation, but a growing green tech economy.
These buses aren’t just electric—they’re powered by Kenya’s natural rhythms. Roam’s fleet draws from a grid where over 75% of the electricity flows from geothermal power and the cascading power of hydroelectric dams. It’s a perfect synergy: cutting-edge mobility driven by the Earth’s own energy, in a nation fast becoming a model of sustainable innovation.
Hitting the Streets
Pilot projects have already launched in Nairobi with operators like Super Metro, ferrying commuters through key routes including Central Business District (CBD) to Westlands. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:
“It’s quiet, smooth, and there’s no smoke. The city feels cleaner,” says Mary Achieng, a daily commuter who rides Roam Rapid to work.
Local Innovation, Global Impact
Roam isn’t stopping with buses. They’ve also launched:
- Roam Air – an electric motorcycle tailored for delivery and commuter services
- Roam Hub – an assembly facility to scale production in Kenya and beyond
Their vision? To make electric transport accessible across Africa, from city buses to rural mobility.
What’s Next?
Roam plans to expand into Uganda, Rwanda, and Ghana—adapting each vehicle to local market conditions. Meanwhile, Nairobi’s clean bus fleet is growing, thanks in part to government support through green financing and pilot-friendly regulation.
“We don’t just want to import the future—we want to build it here,” says Roam CEO Filip Lövström.
Have you ridden a Roam electric bus? Share your story with us via editor@ethicalbusiness.africa
