USAID Grants $1.5 Million to BasiGo for Electric Bus Pilot Program in Rwanda

In a landmark move for sustainable transport in East Africa, BasiGo has received a grant of USD 1.5 million from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Development Innovation Ventures program. This funding is a major boost to BasiGo’s ongoing efforts to introduce electric buses in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of a pilot program aimed at proving the cost-effectiveness and operational viability of electric public transport in the city.

A year ago, BasiGo secured $6.6 Million in a new funding round led by Mobility54, the corporate venture capital arm of Toyota Tsusho; Trucks VC, a transportation-focused venture capital fund in Silicon Valley; and Novastar Ventures, a global VC supporting entrepreneurs transforming markets in Africa.

BasiGo, a pioneering E-Mobility startup, is already celebrating the arrival of its first two electric buses in East Africa, which are en route to Kigali. This development marks a significant step forward in the company’s mission to revolutionize Rwanda’s public transportation system.

“We are deeply appreciative of USAID’s financial support, which significantly accelerates our public transport electrification plan in Rwanda,” stated Jit Bhattacharya, CEO and Co-founder of BasiGo. He further elaborated on the pressing needs in Kigali, where escalating fuel prices and a growing demand for public transport solutions have created a perfect environment for the introduction of BasiGo’s electric buses and their innovative Pay-As-You-Drive model.

The pilot program, slated to start road testing in November, will see BasiGo’s electric buses deployed across various routes in Kigali in partnership with prominent bus operators, including Kigali Bus Service, Royal Express, and Volcano. The goal is not just to test these buses but also to demonstrate the sustainable and economic benefits they can bring to the city’s transport infrastructure.

Adding to its innovative approach, BasiGo has collaborated with AC Mobility to weave its Electric Bus financing platform into Kigali’s existing Tap-and-Go fare collection system, widely used across the city’s buses. This integration ensures a seamless and user-friendly experience for passengers while also streamlining operational costs for bus operators.

The broader vision shared by BasiGo and USAID is to expand Kigali’s electric bus fleet to 200 by 2025, supporting the Rwandan Government’s ambitious goal to electrify 20% of the city’s public bus network by 2030. BasiGo’s initiative in Kigali builds upon its successful experience in Nairobi, where it has established the largest fleet of electric buses in sub-Saharan Africa, having carried over 1.1 million passengers and offsetting around 400 tonnes of CO2.

The BasiGo story is more than just about transit; it’s about setting a precedent for how cities in Africa can leapfrog traditional transportation models and embrace clean, efficient, and sustainable public transport solutions. With its commitment to innovation and sustainability, BasiGo is steering the future of urban mobility in Africa towards a greener horizon.