BasiGo, an electric bus startup founded in 2021 by Jonathan Green and Jit Bhattacharya, has closed a $24 million Series A equity round alongside $17.5 million in debt funding. This financial boost reflects growing momentum in Africa’s e-mobility sector, following the Kenyan government’s recent e-mobility policy initiative to support sustainable transport solutions.
The equity round was led by key players such as Africa50, the British International Investment (BII), and the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Other strategic investors included CFAO Kenya, Mobility54, SBI Investments, and Novastar Ventures. A $10 million loan from DFC will support BasiGo’s Kenyan operations, while BII’s $7.5 million debt facility will enable the company to expand into Rwanda.
Since its launch, BasiGo has disrupted Nairobi’s commuter transport, introducing electric buses—known locally as matatus—in partnership with SACCOs like Super Metro and Citi Shuttle. As of March 2024, its buses had transported over 4 million passengers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 1,175 tonnes.
The new funding will allow BasiGo to scale up from 119 electric buses to 1,000 across Kenya and Rwanda within three years. This expansion also aligns with the startup’s ambition to compete with Roam Motors, another local player in the electric mobility space, which raised $24 million earlier in 2024.
BasiGo’s Pay-As-You-Drive leasing model has made adoption easier for local operators by lowering upfront costs. The company plans to broaden this model to accommodate new vehicle types, including the E9 Kubwa, which is priced at KES 7.5 million ($58,000). In comparison, conventional diesel buses used in Nairobi cost around KES 5 million ($37,000), making BasiGo’s electric options competitively viable in the long run.
In recent years, the startup has raised several rounds of funding, including $4.3 million in 2022 and $5 million in debt from BII, with an additional $3 million equity boost from CFAO Group to expand operations in Rwanda. With a robust strategy, including local assembly using components from China’s BYD Automotive, BasiGo aims to tap into the rising demand for sustainable urban transport in East Africa.
CEO Jit Bhattacharya emphasized the significance of this funding, stating, “With BII’s support, we are prepared to introduce hundreds of emissions-free electric buses across East Africa.” As BasiGo scales up production and deepens partnerships, the company is on track to cement its leadership position in transforming public transit across the region.
This latest funding surge signals a critical milestone in Africa’s green energy transition, with Nairobi and Kigali set to benefit from sustainable transportation solutions tailored for urban mobility needs.