Kenyan electric mobility firm BasiGo has begun local assembly of its electric vans, a move that could mark an early turning point in efforts to electrify Kenya’s dominant public transport sector.
The company said it has started assembling its Ma3e electric vans in partnership with Mombasa-based Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) using Complete Knocked Down (CKD) kits. The first 22 locally assembled units are expected to be delivered between April and May.
Kenya’s public transport system is heavily reliant on matatus, operating within a broader vehicle fleet of more than 3 million registered motor vehicles, according to data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). Industry estimates from Metros Kenya place the number of matatus in the tens of thousands, making the segment central to urban mobility and fuel demand.
BasiGo begins Local Assembly of Electric Vans in Kenya
BasiGo has commenced local assembly of its electric vans in Kenya – the Ma3e model, delivering the country’s first locally assembled electric vans. In partnership with Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA), a leading Kenyan… pic.twitter.com/Kij6cuwKOB
— BasiGo Kenya 🇰🇪 (@BasiGoKenya) April 16, 2026
BasiGo’s Ma3e vans are designed for high-utilisation operations, with a range of up to 300 kilometres on a single charge (NEDC). The vehicles target public transport, school shuttles, corporate staff transport, airport transfers and hotel shuttle services.
The company has been running a small pilot fleet of electric buses in Nairobi through partner operators on commuter routes as it tests commercial deployment models. It has not announced any electric motorcycle deployments.
Over the past 10 months, BasiGo has also trialled two electric vans on intercity routes including Nyahururu–Nyeri–Nakuru and Nairobi–Thika, saying the pilots validated performance and supported a reservation pipeline of more than 500 units.
Analysts say local assembly could be a key step in lowering import dependence, improving service capacity and potentially accelerating adoption if financing and charging infrastructure scale in tandem.
While electric vehicles remain a small fraction of Kenya’s overall fleet, the matatu sector is viewed as a high-impact entry point due to its high daily mileage and fuel intensity.
BasiGo said it plans to deploy thousands of electric vans in the coming years, aiming to scale clean mobility and reduce fuel dependence as Kenya pushes toward lower transport emissions.