Electric vehicles are gaining momentum across Africa, but the biggest roadblock isn’t interest—it’s infrastructure. While developed markets rely on dense networks of charging stations and home chargers, many African cities and towns still struggle with unreliable power supply, limited grid coverage, and high electricity costs. That’s why one homegrown solution is beginning to stand out: battery swapping.
Instead of waiting 4–8 hours to recharge, riders or drivers simply exchange a depleted battery for a fully charged one at a swap station—often in under five minutes. It’s fast, affordable, and surprisingly well-suited to Africa’s dynamic transport needs.
Companies like Ampersand in Rwanda, Spiro in Kenya and Nigeria are leading this charge. Ampersand’s electric motorcycles are a common sight in Kigali, and the company’s swap stations have dramatically cut operating costs for riders while reducing carbon emissions. Spiro, recognised as Africa’s largest electric vehicle company, recently partnered with YourRider to expand swap stations across Nigeria. This initiative aims to remove major hurdles to electric vehicle use.
“We are committed to making electric mobility a practical and affordable reality in Nigeria,” said Rahul Gaur, Director of West Africa at Spiro.
YourRider’s head of strategy, Victor Akor, also noted that the partnership would eliminate range anxiety and improve riders’ earnings—two major sticking points for would-be adopters of electric motorcycles.
And Spiro isn’t alone. A 2024 industry roundup lists the top 10 battery swapping companies in Africa, reflecting the sector’s rapid growth:
- Ampersand – Rwanda
- Spiro – Kenya/Nigeria
- MAX – Nigeria
- Kofa – Ghana
- Ecobodaa – Kenya
- Zembo – Uganda
- Swap Station Mobility (SSM) – Nigeria
- Stima General Motors – Kenya
- Siltech – Nigeria
- Charge AM – Ghana
These companies aren’t just selling EVs—they’re building ecosystems. Ampersand and Kofa use solar-powered infrastructure. MAX in Nigeria offers robust logistics support. Swap Station Mobility combines swappable batteries with an IoT-based fleet management system. Each player is innovating to meet the continent’s unique energy and transport challenges.
What’s especially interesting is the dominance of two- and three-wheeler-focused solutions. These vehicles make up the majority of commercial transport in urban Africa, especially for delivery, ride-hailing, and commuting. Battery swapping here is more than convenience—it’s economic empowerment. Riders can keep moving with minimal downtime, cut their fuel costs, and take control of their income.
Still, scaling isn’t easy. Standardisation of batteries, regulatory support, and upfront investment in swap station infrastructure remain hurdles. Most current deployments are urban-centric, and rural expansion will require creative financing and strong public-private partnerships.
But if Africa’s mobile money revolution taught us anything, it’s that when the solution fits the reality on the ground, adoption can skyrocket. Battery swapping doesn’t just sidestep Africa’s grid limitations—it leapfrogs them.
As the continent aims to decarbonise transport, cut urban pollution, and reduce fuel dependency, battery swapping is fast becoming more than a niche innovation. It’s a legitimate roadmap to sustainable, scalable EV adoption.
