KENYA – Ecobodaa, an e-mobility start-up working to roll out electric motorbike taxis, has raised a round of funding from Persistent Energy Capital to help its growth ambitions.

Founded in 2020 by Kim Chepkoit and Steve Juma, Ecobodaa aims to provide more affordable, safer, connected and environmentally-friendly means of transportation for commuters in African cities, and works on a rent-to-own model so that its riders can eventually own the electric powered motorcycles. 

The start-up, which was last year selected for the Nairobi-based Africa Transformative Mobility Accelerator, has now raised a round of funding from Persistent Energy Capital, which aside from cash also has a venture-building approach that includes technical and financial advisory support.

Ecobodaa will use the investment to quicken its rate of growth.

“Persistent has already proven to be a great partner to us,” Chepkoit said.

“They moved quickly and methodically to bring fresh capital and immediately were on the ground in Kenya, helping us build our business with their strong experience building innovative start-ups. They complement our skillset, provide insights and add real value. We are excited about continuing to grow with their collaboration,” added Chepkoit.

Persistent’s chief venture builder Mia von Koschitzky-Kimani said she was excited to support the Ecobodaa team in creating a leading e-mobility business in Kenya. 

We believe that Kenya’s transport electrification is on the verge of a tremendous growth opportunity, thanks to a combination of strong green energy potential, large boda boda sector, high number of people impacted by access to or earnings from boda bodas, and improving cost of technology”

Mia von Koschitzky-Kimani – Chief Venture Builder, Persistent Energy Capital

“We were impressed with the team’s hard work, local knowledge, and achievements so far. We believe that Kenya’s transport electrification is on the verge of a tremendous growth opportunity, thanks to a combination of strong green energy potential, a large boda boda sector, a high number of people impacted by access to or earnings from boda bodas, and improving cost of technology. Persistent is pleased to catalyze one of the most promising companies in the sector,” she said.

The bikes will be fitted with a removable 72v Lithium battery which has a range of 60 – 75km per hour and once the bike’s battery power has been depleted, the drivers will be able to swap it out for a fully charged battery at an Ecobodaa battery swap station.

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and National Transport and Safety Association, Nairobi has more than 100,000 motorbike taxis and are used by plenty of commuters in the city and despite the demand for their service, taxi drivers on average earn US$10 after working approximately 17 hours a day.

A majority of the taxi drivers do not own the bikes which add to their day to day expenses. On average, a driver will pay a daily payment of US$4.8 to the owner of the bike and an extra US$2.5 petrol meaning that drivers only have a profit of US$2.7.

According to, Ecobodaa, drivers will only have to pay US$3.5 in daily premiums compared to the current average rate of US$4.8.

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