At strategically placed stations around Kigali, motorbike riders can swap out a low battery for a fully charged one in under five minutes.
By E.B Content Studio | E-Mobility Series
In the early morning rush of Kigali, the city pulses with familiar motion. Motorcycles weave through traffic like always—but among them, something’s different. Some engines no longer roar. They hum. Subtle. Silent. And symbolic of a shift that’s quietly gaining speed.
Jean Bosco Ntyamira, a 32-year-old moto-taxi driver, pulls up to a small roadside station painted in bright green and yellow. In less than two minutes, a technician swaps out his depleted battery for a fresh one, and he’s back on the road, earning his day’s income. No gas. No waiting.
“I used to spend over 6,000 RWF on petrol daily. Now, with Ampersand’s electric bike, I spend about 3,500—and I don’t need oil changes,” Ntyamira tells us.
Welcome to the heart of Rwanda’s battery swap revolution.
The Swap Ecosystem
Ampersand, a Rwandan-based startup, has pioneered a model built for Africa: battery-as-a-service. Riders don’t own the batteries—they lease them. At strategically placed stations around Kigali, they can swap out a low battery for a fully charged one in under five minutes.
There are now over 12 active swap stations and more than 1,000 e-motorcycles on Kigali’s roads. Each swap costs about the same as a liter of petrol, but saves hours in fueling and maintenance time.
Why it works in Kigali
Rwanda’s compact geography, well-maintained urban roads, and strong government support make it an ideal sandbox for this model. The government waives VAT and import duties on EVs and parts, while the Rwanda Green Fund familiarly known by the French acronym, FONERWA, offers grants and co-investment for clean transport startups.
Human impact
Ampersand’s riders, most of them young men supporting families, report saving up to a substantial amount per month—an economic shift that’s changing lives.
“I used to think electric was only for rich people. Now I see it’s the future—for all of us,” says Claudine, one of Kigali’s first female e-moto riders.
Looking ahead
Ampersand is expanding into Kenya, and competitors like SafiMoto and Spiro are entering the market. Kigali’s success may soon serve as a template for cities across Africa.
As Ntyamira revs up his quiet ride and speeds off, one thing is clear: the electric revolution isn’t just coming. It’s already here—and it’s working.
For a long time, energy scarcity has been a significant factor hindering African nations’ socio-economic development. The unstable power supply has struggled to support the rapid pace of industrialization. However, Africa’s geography is endowed with significant renewable energy resources, and the country holds immense development potential for implementing renewable energy like solar.
According to World Resources Institute (WRI), if solar-power battery swap stations can be successfully piloted in Kigali, it can not only bring direct benefits to Rwanda’s economy, environment and people, but also provide a replicable model for the green transformation of an estimated 5 million motorcycles in East African countries.
