The financial backing will help ARC Ride roll out 5,000 electric two-wheelers, widely known in Kenya as boda bodas.

It will also enable the company to scale its battery-swapping network across East Africa, making electric mobility more accessible and practical for everyday users.

According to BII’s East Africa coverage director, Seema Dhanani, boda bodas are more than just a mode of transport in Kenya—they are central to daily life.

“Electrifying them is vital to building a cleaner and more sustainable future. As the UK’s development finance institution, we are proud to support innovative solutions like ARC Ride that help drive meaningful change for both communities and the environment,” she said.

Joseph Hurst, CEO of ARC Ride, described the partnership as a major step forward in their efforts to grow across the African continent.

“This collaboration allows us to expand significantly while ensuring more clean kilometres are travelled. It means higher earnings for riders and less harm to the planet,” he said.

The partnership signals a growing interest in clean transport options as African cities look to reduce pollution and improve economic opportunities through green technology.