Achim Steiner, the UNEP Executive Director and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations endorsed the Kayoola Solar Bus, Africa’s first solar powered bus in Nairobi, during the second session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2), taking place at UNEP headquarters in Nairobi.
Held at the sidelines of the UNEA conference,the Sustainable Innovations Expo was focused on green innovations such as the Kayoola Solar Bus, manufactured in Uganda by Kiira Motors Corporation.
Achim Steiner exuded excitement and pride to see 21st century mobility technology being put on the road in Africa, by Africans as he challenged local investors in to invest in the fast growing green economy in Africa that Kiira Motors is currently participating in through the production of environmentally friendly vehicles.
Paul Isaac Musasizi, the Chief Executive Officer Kiira Motors lauded the endorsement of Kayoola Solar Bus by the UNEP executive director as a validation that Uganda is prime and ready for automotive manufacturing and engineering, as he committed to further engage the government and private sector for further policy and investment commitment.
“We are happy to have Uganda globally relevant in the urban green mobility solutions conversation, as we plug into international collaborations in the vehicle production value chain to synergize” he added.
The Kayoola Solar bus, produced in 2016 is one of the 3 concept vehicles produced by the Kiira Vehicle Technology Innovation Program. The KIIRA EV, a 2 seater electric car was launched in 2011, KIIRA EV SMACK; a 5 seater hybrid electric sedan followed in 2014 and the Kayoola Solar Bus was the latest addition in 2016.
With production on course to start in 2018, The Kiira Motors production plant will be situated at the Uganda Investment Authority Jinja Industrial and Business Park, which shall be equipped to support the manufacture of up to 60,000 cars , comprising of Pick-ups, SUVs , Sedans, trucks and buses. Vehicle imports and related expenditure into Uganda are estimated to be over USD 500 million and USD 2 billion for the East African Region.
