Published on 13/07/2024
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni inaugurated Spiro electric motorcycles during an event held at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo, Chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), led the Spiro delegation. Spiro, a leading African electric bike company, has significantly advanced sustainable transportation. Formerly M Auto Electric, Spiro has deployed over 15,000 electric bikes and conducted more than 9 million battery swaps in Benin, Togo, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The event underscores Uganda’s commitment to green energy and innovation.
President Museveni praised Spiro for the new technology, stating that, “This is good news. The electric bikes are better than our traditional ones which require diesel.”
The President also emphasised Uganda’s dedication to adopting environmentally friendly alternatives.
Ms. Rosa Malango, the Chairperson of the Tumaini Africa Knowledge Centre (TAKC), informed the President that 500 electric bikes are already operational in Kampala, with 150 of them sold in the first week. To make the bikes accessible for boda boda riders, she noted that a payment plan in instalment has been introduced.
“The price of an electric bike is $1,000, which is significantly cheaper than the traditional diesel-powered bodas, which cost $1,480. This is about 30% cheaper,” she said.
Ms. Malango further highlighted several advantages of the electric bikes, noting that, according to their survey, riders appreciate the tubeless tires, which eliminate the need for air pumping.
“The bikes also have a battery range of approximately 80 kilometres and come with convenient charging stations across Kampala,” she said.
Ms. Malango assured the President that Ugandans have welcomed the new technology and are quickly adapting to it.
“Your Excellency, each bike and battery is equipped with a GPS tracker and a specific identification number, enhancing security and enabling efficient tracking in case of accidents or crimes,” she added.
She explained that electric bikes offer affordable energy and the convenience of battery swap stations, where riders can exchange depleted batteries for charged ones.
On the other hand, Spiro country head, Mr. Gaurav Anand, also announced plans to partner with the Ugandan government to deploy over 140,000 electric two-wheelers and 3,000 charge-and-swap stations across the country by 2028.
Mr. Anand also noted that Spiro expects to have about 35 battery swapping stations in Kampala by the end of the year, noting that the company is set to revolutionise Uganda’s transportation landscape.
“The company also plans to launch electric tuk-tuks next year, further expanding its impact,” he noted.
“We are pleased to bring the latest technology and products to the country. Each bike is equipped with a GPS tracker, allowing us to work with enforcement agencies to enhance security. We look forward to continued cooperation with the Ugandan government in various sectors, including the cotton industry and beef value-addition.”
He also expressed the company’s interest in establishing a textile factory in Northern Uganda, specifically in Lira District.
“This factory will focus on ginning, weaving, knitting, and spinning cotton, contributing to Uganda’s industrial development,” he said.
The event was also attended by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, and the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi.
ABOUT SPIRO
Founded in 2019, Spiro began as “M Auto Electric”. M Auto worked for eight years on streamlining the auto-rickshaw industry and introducing gender inclusion in transportation. M Auto was launched in Africa in 2022 and is currently operational in Benin, Togo, Rwanda and Uganda.
We introduced world-class electric three-wheelers and two-wheelers to revolutionize and bring a new perspective to the auto-rickshaw, personal transport, and intra-city commuting services market.
Spiro is on the verge of becoming an innovation leader in sustainable vehicle designing and smart battery development using exceptional engineering. Benefits include:
- Easy battery-swapping: bring-back-home and charge within 3 hours.
- Rent-to-own model for effortless onboarding.
- Enhanced environmental benefits with no carbon emissions.
In 2022, we underwent a rebrand to launch Spiro. We leveraged our experience in innovation and market understanding to create a brand that offers a desirable yet sustainable long-term ecosystem for urban mobility.
