M-KOPA said in Nairobi on 7 Sep 2026 that it has financed over 10,000 electric motorbikes in Kenya and is adding electric tuk-tuks amid rider demand.

The expansion matters to Kenya’s transport businesses because vehicle financing and operating costs affect access to income-generating assets.

The company said its pay-as-you-go model spreads vehicle payments over time and reduces riders’ and operators’ upfront capital needs.

“Reaching 10,000 financed electric motorbikes reflects growing demand from riders looking to lower operating costs and improve their earnings,” M-KOPA General Manager for Mobility Brian Njao said.

Njao said the same financing approach would help electric tuk-tuk operators access cleaner vehicles with lower costs without a large upfront payment.

M-KOPA customer data puts average rider savings at Ksh530 daily through lower energy and maintenance costs and access to battery-swapping infrastructure.

Across more than 10,000 financed motorcycles the company estimates total daily savings of about Ksh5.3 million.

It estimates annual savings of approximately Ksh1 billion assuming regular daily use.

The milestone signals growing adoption of electric two-wheelers among riders seeking lower operating costs than petrol motorcycles.

Tuk-tuks serve last-mile transport and small business logistics in urban and peri-urban areas.

M-KOPA cited Kenya Tuk Tuk Operators Network estimates of more than 250,000 registered tuk-tuks and 750,000 active drivers.

The network also estimates that the sector has 250,000 owners and investors.

The operator network said access to affordable finance remains a key challenge for people seeking to acquire or upgrade vehicles.

The expansion reflects a broader shift towards asset-backed credit models for informal and semi-formal earners in transport.

Commercial electric vehicles in boda boda and tuk-tuk operations are increasingly assessed through total ownership costs rather than purchase prices alone.

These costs include energy, maintenance and downtime.

Financing structures and access to charging or battery-swapping networks are likely to influence adoption.

M-KOPA linked its expansion to Kenya’s National Electric Mobility Policy.

The company said the policy provides a framework for investment and private-sector participation in electric mobility.

M-KOPA said incentives include zero-rated VAT on electric buses, bicycles, motorcycles and lithium-ion batteries.

It said electric bicycles, motorcycles and lithium-ion batteries also attract zero excise duty.

The company said it finances electric motorcycles from manufacturers including Ampersand, Roam and Spiro.

M-KOPA said it has partnered with Bolt to expand access through financing and rider incentives.

The company said customers receive M-KOPA Cares with flexible repayments, insurance, GPS tracking, security features and warranty protection.

The market faces a test of how quickly electric vehicle financing can expand beyond motorcycles into higher-capacity commercial vehicles such as tuk-tuks.

M-KOPA said its next mobility phase will focus on expanding customer access, partnerships and financing across Kenya’s electric transport market.