• Spiro says its solution could reduce carbon emissions, ease fuel dependency, and bring new economic opportunities especially for youth and women.

Dar es salaam. For years, urban transport in Tanzania has been stuck in a cycle of congestion, high fuel costs, and worsening air quality. 

Now, electric mobility company Spiro is betting on a new formula, swappable batteries, clean energy, and a hyper-local model for creating green jobs.

On Saturday of May 10th 2025, the Africa-based e-mobility giant officially launched its electric two-wheeler operations in Tanzania, rolling out bikes and battery-swapping stations in Dar es Salaam. 

With more than 10 swapping stations already installed, Spiro says its solution could reduce carbon emissions, ease fuel dependency, and bring new economic opportunities especially for youth and women.

But the promise comes with caution, the system’s success will depend not just on tech, but on policy, infrastructure, and public trust.

Urban mobility meets climate realities

Tanzania’s urban population is projected to reach over 70 million by 2050, according to UN-Habitat. In Dar es Salaam alone, traffic congestion costs the economy billions in lost productivity, while vehicle emissions contribute heavily to poor air quality. 

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks air pollution as one of the leading health risks in African cities, causing nearly 176,000 deaths annually across the continent.

By introducing electric two-wheelers, Spiro offers a targeted solution by reducing carbon emissions from the dominant motorcycle taxi (boda-boda) sector, which currently runs almost entirely on petrol. 

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), two- and three-wheelers account for nearly half of all vehicle sales in Africa, and electrifying this segment could reduce transport-related CO₂ emissions by up to 30% in dense urban centers.

Spiro says its solution could reduce carbon emissions, ease fuel dependency, and bring new economic opportunities especially for youth and women.Photol Esau Ng’umbi/Nukta Africa

Learning from Kigali and Nairobi

The Tanzanian launch builds on Spiro’s presence in Rwanda, where the company has installed over 150 battery swapping stations and operates a fleet of 10,000+ e-bikes. 

Kigali, with its clean streets and strong regulatory support, has become a testbed for e-mobility. The Rwandan government eliminated import duties on electric vehicles and offered incentives to local operators a strategy Tanzania may look to emulate.

In Kenya, where electricity is primarily generated from renewables, electric boda-bodas are also gaining momentum. 

Startups like Ecobodaa and Ampersand have shown that battery swapping, a model now replicated in Dar es Salaam by Spiro, is critical for scale, convenience, and affordability. Riders can swap batteries in under two minutes, avoiding downtime and extending daily income-earning hours.

Infrastructure and local Integration

Spiro has already installed more than ten battery swapping stations across Tanzania, with plans for nationwide expansion. Beyond hardware, the company’s strategy includes local assembly facilities, a move that could reduce the cost of electric bikes, spur job creation, and decrease reliance on expensive imports.

This aligns with Tanzania’s ambitions to grow its manufacturing sector, which currently contributes just 8.1% to the national GDP  according to World Bank, 2023. Spiro’s “Made-in-Africa” model offers a practical blueprint for integrating technology with industrial policy.

The Cost Argument

While the initial price tag of electric bikes may raise eyebrows, the long-term savings are compelling. In Kigali, Ampersand reports that riders save up to 35% in daily operating costs compared to petrol counterparts. With fluctuating fuel prices in Tanzania averaging Tsh 2,800–3,400 per litre the appeal of a cheaper, swappable battery system is clear.

Spiro’s bikes are being offered under bank-financed asset ownership models, which can lower barriers for informal sector workers. Combined with structured training programs for youth and women, Spiro aims to build an ecosystem not just a fleet.

“Spiro offers the most affordable bike and battery swapping network in Africa, with costs lower than gas-powered bikes. Our commitment is to provide accessible, eco-friendly transportation that transforms urban mobility and supports economic growth across the continent,” says Kaushik Burman, Chief Executive Officer, Spiro.

Regulatory clarity around electric vehicle registration, standards, and safety is still evolving. Lessons from Kenya’s 2023 EV policy which formalized classification, licensing, and insurance for e-bikes may guide Tanzania’s next steps. Photo l Spiro

Empowering women and youth

Gender inclusivity in mobility remains rare in East Africa. Spiro plans to roll out training initiatives targeting women as both riders and mechanics, seeking to upend the traditionally male-dominated sector. 

In Rwanda, women comprise only 7% of boda-boda operators, a statistic Tanzania could improve with deliberate interventions and community outreach.

“You can’t talk about green mobility without addressing who gets to participate in it,” said Kshitij Sharma, Spiro’s regional director for Kenya and Tanzania. “We want to democratize access from financing to mechanics training.”

Challenges ahead

Despite the promise, challenges remain. Tanzania’s energy grid is under strain, and the deployment of battery-swapping stations hinges on consistent electricity supply. Partnerships with EWURA and TANESCO will be crucial to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with ambitions.

Moreover, regulatory clarity around electric vehicle registration, standards, and safety is still evolving. Lessons from Kenya’s 2023 EV policy which formalized classification, licensing, and insurance for e-bikes may guide Tanzania’s next steps.