Spiro, a leading Pan-African electric mobility company, is accelerating Rwanda’s transition to electric mobility through a rapidly expanding battery-swapping and charging network, local assembly operations, and a growing ecosystem that supports riders, mechanics, and entrepreneurs. According to Arun Bhandari, Spiro’s Country Director, more than 15,000 Spiro electric motorcycles are currently on Rwanda’s roads, supported by over 700 battery-swapping stations spread across all 30 districts. While Kigali accounts for the bulk of demand—hosting more than half of the stations and up to 80 per cent of the bikes—uptake in upcountry areas is gaining momentum. ALSO READ: Spiro rolls out e-bikes for sustainable, eco-friendly transport in Kirehe District “As part of our expansion, our approach has been to set up the infrastructure first and then introduce the bikes. This way, anyone purchasing our bike doesn’t have to worry about the availability of charging stations,” Bhandari said. Unlike conventional charging models that rely on large central hubs, Spiro operates a decentralised battery-swapping system. Riders can exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in under a minute, eliminating long charging times and easing pressure on the national power grid. The company says this model has addressed one of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle adoption—convenience. Stations are distributed based on demand patterns rather than fixed distances, allowing Spiro to respond quickly to rider movement within cities and across districts. “When you arrive at one of our stations, the battery can be swapped in under a minute. Riders do not have to worry about charging at all; that is fully handled by our system,” the Country Manager said. “By taking care of the energy infrastructure, we remove a major barrier to electric mobility and make the service more convenient and reliable for everyone.” ALSO READ: Spiro launches sleeker, safer new e-bike models at lower cost With stations now available nationwide, inter-district travel has become increasingly viable. Some riders regularly travel from the Eastern Province to Kigali using the swapping network along the way, reflecting growing confidence in the system. Spiro has operated in Africa for nearly four years and has emerged as a market leader in Rwanda’s electric motorcycle segment. Beyond transport, the company says e-mobility is becoming a source of employment and skills development. From a two-person operation in late 2022, Spiro has grown to nearly 1,100 employees across station operations, logistics, after-sales services, and manufacturing. The company targets creating between 2,000 and 2,500 direct and indirect jobs by 2026. A key pillar of this growth is localisation. Spiro operates an assembly plant in Rwanda with the capacity to produce 25,000 bikes annually in its first phase, employing more than 300 Rwandans. Women currently account for about 35 per cent of the workforce, with a target of 45 per cent by the end of December. The company has also established a network of certified partner garages. Mechanics undergo specialised training on electric motorcycles before being accredited to service Spiro bikes. “More than 50 such garages are already operating across the country, and we expect this number to exceed 200 by early 2026,” Bhandari said. “This is about building an ecosystem—from assembly to servicing—where local businesses and technicians grow alongside us.” To address skills gaps, Spiro has rolled out recurring training sessions and educational tools across its operations to reduce avoidable challenges and minimise downtime caused by poor maintenance or misuse. “As we grow, we have realised that the entire industry is still on a learning curve,” Bhandari said. “A bike may be used by multiple riders with different levels of knowledge, which can lead to avoidable accidents or damage.” The company now conducts regular training at offices, showrooms, plants, service warehouses, and major swap stations, focusing on basic bike features and proper maintenance to extend lifespan. Additional tutorials are being developed, with direct engagement where challenges persist. As adoption increases, risk management has become a critical component of the e-mobility ecosystem. Radiant Insurance Company, one of Spiro’s partners, has developed insurance solutions tailored specifically for electric motorcycle riders. Ovia Tuhairwe, Deputy Managing Director of Radiant Insurance Company, said the insurer views electric mobility not only as a transport shift but also as a national development opportunity. “We have designed insurance products specifically for electric motorcycles, covering riders, passengers, third parties, battery risks, and stock protection,” Tuhairwe said. “We also introduced a savings facilitation known as Gake Gake, which allows riders to save gradually—daily, weekly or monthly—based on their income flow, reducing the burden of paying a full premium at once.” Radiant also offers premium payments in instalments, including three-payment options, to make insurance more accessible. “The future of our collaboration with Spiro is very positive,” Tuhairwe noted. “As the sector grows, we are expanding coverage to include batteries, income protection, and data-driven pricing. Electric motorcycles align directly with Rwanda’s green growth ambitions by supporting zero emissions, cleaner air, and quieter cities.” Radiant’s digital platforms enable riders to onboard, pay premiums, and lodge and track claims seamlessly. The insurer says technology also helps analyse rider behaviour and accident patterns, allowing for fairer pricing and faster claims processing. Electric motorcycles are also reshaping rider economics. With fuel prices remaining volatile, electric bikes significantly reduce daily operating costs, enabling riders to retain more income. Zero tailpipe emissions and lower noise levels are contributing to cleaner and quieter urban environments. “I previously worked with fuel-powered motorcycles, and the difference after switching to Spiro’s electric bikes is very clear,” said Jean-Claude Haguma, a Spiro rider. “With fuel bikes, there were frequent maintenance issues, high fuel costs, and recurring mechanical problems.” “With the e-bikes, operations are much easier. There are fewer breakdowns, simpler maintenance procedures, and predictable energy costs. This has reduced time loss and allowed riders to focus more on their work rather than on the bike itself.” Spiro estimates that every kilometre travelled on an electric motorcycle replaces fuel consumption that would otherwise generate carbon emissions. With thousands of bikes covering millions of kilometres each month, the environmental impact continues to grow. Looking ahead, the company is exploring renewable energy integration, including solar-powered charging solutions and second-life battery storage systems, to further reduce its carbon footprint as operations scale.
