Kenya’s transport sector is the country’s largest source of energy-related emissions, driven by a rapidly expanding fleet of fossil-fuel motorcycles that lack emission controls and contribute significantly to urban air pollution. Electric mobility has been identified as a national priority, yet adoption remains extremely low due to high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure. The mitigation activity directly addresses these structural barriers.

The activity enables the deployment of Roam’s locally manufactured electric motorcycles, used primarily for taxi (boda-boda) and delivery services, displacing ICE motorcycles in one of the country’s highest-emitting vehicle categories. Each motorcycle is equipped with digital telemetry for precise monitoring of distance travelled, with emission reductions calculated according to the requirements under the Swiss and Kenyan bilateral climate agreement.

Without carbon revenues, electric motorcycles remain too expensive for Kenya’s price-sensitive boda-boda sector. Financial analysis shows the investment case is not viable without ITMOs, whereas ITMO revenues enable scale, affordability, and the development of local assembly capacity, charging networks, and battery lifecycle systems.

The activity is fully additional to Kenya’s NDC. While Kenya prioritizes e-mobility, most planned measures are still in early stages of development due to funding constraints. No subsidies exist that could enable adoption at scale. The activity therefore fills a critical financing gap while remaining outside the NDC package.

By 2030, Roam intends to deliver around 260,000 additional e-motorcycles in Kenya, reduce local air pollutants, and accelerate Kenya’s transition to clean mobility.

The mitigation activity generates substantial social and economic co-benefits. By expanding local EV manufacturing, charging infrastructure, maintenance services, and digital fleet management, the activity creates direct and indirect jobs across Kenya’s growing e-mobility sector. Commercial riders benefit from reduction in upfront investment, lower daily operating costs, predictable energy expenses, and improved income stability.

Displacing ICE motorcycles with electric models eliminates tailpipe emissions of PM2.5, NOx and other harmful pollutants and improves urban air quality. The activity also supports Kenya’s clean-energy transition by integrating solar-powered charging where possible and strengthening battery lifecycle management through repair, repurposing, and recycling.

The activity contributes to SDGs 7, 8, 11, and 13, supporting clean energy access, decent work, sustainable cities, and climate action. By making clean mobility affordable and accessible, the activity helps accelerate Kenya’s shift toward a more sustainable, resilient transport system.