Kenyan mobility innovator Roam has flagged off its third major cross-border electric mobility expedition, dubbed “The Road to Addis”, in a bold test of the endurance and practicality of electric motorcycles across Africa.
The 1,600-kilometer journey from Nairobi to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia began on Sunday, October 5, and is set to conclude on October 10, just in time for Africa E-Mobility Week, one of the continent’s most influential forums on sustainable transportation.
A Track Record of Record-Breaking Journeys
This latest expedition builds on Roam’s earlier groundbreaking rides:
- Border-to-Beach (900 km) across Kenya, and
- A 6,000 km solar-powered journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Both rides showcased the resilience of Roam’s motorcycles and positioned Kenya as a leader in Africa’s clean transport movement.
“The Road to Addis” continues that legacy, aiming to answer a critical question for riders and policymakers alike: Can electric motorcycles truly go the distance, even with limited charging infrastructure?
The Roam Air: Built in Africa, for Africa
The expedition is powered by the Roam Air, Kenya’s first locally designed and manufactured electric motorcycle. With a dual-battery range of 160 kilometers and the ability to charge from any standard power outlet, the Roam Air is designed to ease “range anxiety” while proving that electric mobility is not just aspirational, but practical for Africa’s roads today.
The full route will pass through Moyale, Yabello, Hawassa, Ziway, Adama, and finally Addis Ababa. Along the way, the Roam team will engage with communities, schools, and local leaders, while documenting stories of electrification through live updates, a docuseries, and a feature film produced in collaboration with Intro. Africa.
Strong Partnerships Powering the Ride
The expedition is supported by key partners:
- Munja Energy as Platinum Sponsor
- Kenya Power (KPLC), providing charging infrastructure within Kenya
- Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU), enabling access on the Ethiopian side
With more than 76% of Kenyan households already connected to the grid and a dedicated e-mobility tariff in place, KPLC continues to position itself as a catalyst for clean mobility adoption.
A Symbol of Africa’s Clean Transport Future
Speaking at the launch, Habib Lukaya, Country Manager at Roam, said:
“The ride is not just about distance, but about proving that Africa is already writing its own story in the global electric mobility transition. After the 900 km and 6,000 km expeditions, the Road to Addis demonstrates once again that the Roam Air can go the distance, built in Africa, for Africa.”
By timing the expedition to coincide with Africa E-Mobility Week, Roam aims to showcase both the technical capabilities of its motorcycles and the broader opportunities for investment, innovation, and adoption of clean transport solutions across the continent.
