Africa’s momentum in electric mobility is gathering speed as Ampersand Energy, a pioneer of the commercial electric motorcycle ecosystem in East Africa, announces a partnership with Wylex Mobility to deploy the Wylex motorcycle model on its established battery swap network. The integration marks a milestone in the regional transition away from fossil-fuel powered boda bodas and positions Ampersand as the first company on the continent to make its charging infrastructure open to third-party vehicle brands.
The collaboration brings together two emerging leaders in electric transport solutions designed for the African market. Ampersand, founded in Rwanda and later expanding to Kenya, has been working to transform the region’s motorcycle taxi sector by replacing petrol-powered engines with battery-swapping electric bikes. Wylex Mobility, which has more than two decades of engineering experience behind its flagship motorcycle products, is now entering East Africa with a workhorse bike tailored for local commercial needs including delivery, logistics and daily rider operations.
Josh Whale, CEO of Ampersand Energy, described the partnership as a critical step in scaling e-mobility adoption at speed. “This is a landmark moment for Africa’s electric transport sector,” he said. “We’ve created a top-tier energy infrastructure that any vehicle partner meeting our quality standards can join. Ampersand is the first and only company in Africa to offer an open battery swap network. This development will dramatically accelerate electric transportation in East Africa.”
Broadening Vehicle Choice for Riders
For the thousands of riders who depend on motorcycles as their primary source of income, the introduction of Wylex bikes through Ampersand’s system is expected to expand consumer choice and make the switch to electric mobility more accessible. Riders using Ampersand’s fleet currently rely on a dedicated network of swapping stations that allows them to collect a fully charged battery in under two minutes, reducing downtime that would otherwise eat into their daily earnings.
Whale said Ampersand’s customers consistently ask for more variety in vehicle models to suit their working conditions. “We constantly listen to our customers, who have told us they want a wider range of vehicles that still meet Ampersand’s uncompromising quality standards. Today’s partnership means just that: more vehicle options on the region’s most reliable batteries and fastest, best-performing swap network,” he said.
Manufacturers partnering with Ampersand are able to tap into a market with high commercial demand and a clear pathway to scale, Whale added. “Moving forward, more quality brands from around the world will be able to plug into our network without having to build the energy infrastructure from scratch.”
A Motorcycle Built for African Roads
To compete in the crowded boda boda market dominated by petrol motorcycles, electric bikes must deliver durability, speed and ample carrying capacity for cargo or passengers. Wylex Mobility’s CEO Eileen Huang said their electric motorcycle was built specifically with African commercial riders in mind.
“With 27 years of engineering, Wylex delivers stronger, longer-lasting performance for riders,” Huang noted. “We’re particularly excited to launch it with Ampersand. Their strong customer focus and reliable swap network made them the ideal partner for our entry into the region.”
The Wylex model featured in the partnership includes an 8000 W motor for powerful acceleration even on rough terrain, a steel-reinforced seat measuring 88 cm in length for better load handling and passenger comfort, and a total payload capacity of 200 kg. These specifications were validated through Ampersand’s stringent performance and safety testing process before being cleared for rollout into the market.
The bike will complement Ampersand’s existing Alpha electric motorcycle fleet, which has been central to the company’s scaling operations. Ampersand reports that its Alpha Mk1 fleet now covers roughly one million kilometres daily in rider mileage across the region.
Strengthening Battery Swapping for Scale
Battery swapping has emerged as a preferred approach for electrifying commercial motorcycles in Africa because conventional charging would require riders to remain idle while the battery powers up. In contrast, swap stations offer a near-instant turnaround, enabling high vehicle utilisation.
Ampersand operates one of the fastest-growing networks of swap stations in East Africa, supporting more than 20,000 battery swaps every day across Rwanda and Kenya. The company says its platform has already powered more than 400 million kilometres of travel, demonstrating the real-world viability of two-wheel battery swapping in African cities.
By opening its infrastructure to other manufacturers, Ampersand aims to accelerate adoption in a sector that remains heavily reliant on petrol. East Africa hosts millions of boda bodas that together constitute a major contributor to urban emissions and noise pollution. Electrification could reduce fuel use and transport-related emissions while lowering operational costs for riders.
Commercial Momentum and Investment Interest
Efforts to electrify Africa’s transport sector have gained increasing attention from investors, development funders and climate-focused institutions. In Kenya and Rwanda, government agencies have signalled interest in clean mobility solutions through policies such as reduced import duties on electric vehicles and incentives for clean transport start-ups.
The boda boda economy alone is valued in the billions of dollars annually. With motorcycles responsible for a major share of commercial deliveries and commuter mobility, the segment presents one of the most immediate opportunities for transitioning to sustainable solutions.
Ampersand’s strategy to open its infrastructure is likely to influence future market structure by enabling interoperability and avoiding fragmentation of charging systems. Industry analysts say interoperable networks reduce costs for both manufacturers and riders, allowing the e-mobility ecosystem to scale more quickly.
Outlook
As Ampersand and Wylex begin their rollout across East Africa, early adoption is expected to focus on commercial riders already familiar with high-frequency usage and fuel cost volatility. Available swap capacity and network reliability will determine how rapidly the integration scales in each city.
With the partnership now formalised, both companies say they are preparing to deploy vehicles and expand swap coverage into additional commercial hubs where rider demand is concentrated.
If successful, the model could serve as an example for wider collaboration in Africa’s mobility sector. An open battery-swap ecosystem has the potential to create new manufacturing opportunities, stimulate investment in clean transport infrastructure and place the region at the forefront of emerging electric motorcycle markets.
