Roam has announced plans to open 10 extra solar-powered EV charging hubs (Roam Hubs) in Nairobi. This will be done with funding provided by ENERGICA, a European Union-supported initiative under Horizon 2020. The project will help accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions by offering affordable battery rentals, optimized charging and quick after-sales services for electric motorcycle riders in Nairobi. Each Roam Hub can make between 400 – 500 transactions daily for both charging and renting batteries.
Roam is one of three demonstration sites selected in Africa by ENERGICA to develop locally adapted, innovative technologies. While Roam focuses on expanding clean transport in Kenya, other sites include Madagascar, where ENERGICA is developing nano-grids for renewable water and food production, and Freetown, Sierra Leone, where biogas and water purification systems are advancing energy, water, and fertilizer production.
There are already a handful of Roam Hubs in Nairobi along Lusaka Road, Waiyaki Way, Kayole Spine Road, Forest Road and Roysambu. This partnership is set ot expand the network further. By expanding Roam Hubs in urban and peri-urban areas, Roam aims to create a reliable, convenient network for electric motorcycle riders. Additionally, Roam’s commitment to an open architecture design for its charging stations will enable interoperability between electric vehicle manufacturers, allowing riders to charge at various locations, thus removing a key barrier to widespread transition.
What They Said
Habib Lukaya, Roam’s Product Manager of Energy and Charging, remarked, “This initiative is a game-changer for electric mobility in Kenya and across Africa. The open architecture design we’re implementing not only enables seamless interoperability but also fosters sustainable growth for electric motorcycles. By allowing users to charge their electric motorcycles at various speeds and locations, we are addressing one of the most significant barriers to electric vehicle adoption —access to reliable and flexible charging infrastructure.”
Nadia Moussaid, ENERGICA’s Collaborative Project Manager, shared: “This partnership is a critical link between Africa and Europe, tackling urgent challenges such as energy access, climate change, and clean transport. Roam’s solar-powered electric mobility solutions will reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and transform urban transport in cities like Nairobi and Kisumu. Together, we’re building resilient, low-emission transport networks that empower communities and create sustainable jobs.”
