Roam to set up 10 solar EV charging hubs with funding from ENERGICA

Electric vehicle manufacturer Roam is set to establish 10 additional solar-powered Roam Hubs in Nairobi with funding from ENERGICA, a European Union-supported initiative under Horizon 2020.

The project aims to accelerate the adoption of clean, resilient transportation solutions by offering affordable battery rentals, optimized charging, and quick after-sales services for electric motorcycle riders in Nairobi, with each Roam Hub making 400 – 500 transactions daily for both charging and renting batteries.

Roam is one of three demonstration sites selected in Africa by ENERGICA to develop locally adapted, innovative technologies. While Roam focuses on expanding clean transport in Kenya, other sites include Madagascar, where ENERGICA is developing nano-grids for renewable water and food production, and Freetown, Sierra Leone, where biogas and water purification systems are advancing energy, water, and fertilizer production.

Having already established five Roam Hubs across Nairobi—at Lusaka Road, Waiyaki Way, Kayole Spine Road, Roysambu, and Forest Road—Roam is poised to expand its network further. The new hubs will make electric mobility more accessible and transform urban transportation into a cleaner, more efficient system, said Roam.

The EV company said that solar charging further enhances affordability, offering an additional Ksh10-15 savings per kWh compared to electricity. By expanding Roam Hubs in urban and peri-urban areas, Roam aims to create a reliable, convenient network for electric motorcycle riders, it said in a statement.

This initiative is a game-changer for electric mobility in Kenya and across Africa. The open architecture design we’re implementing not only enables seamless interoperability but also fosters sustainable growth for electric motorcycles. By allowing users to charge their electric motorcycles at various speeds and locations, we are addressing one of the most significant barriers to electric vehicle adoption —access to reliable and flexible charging infrastructure.

Habib Lukaya, Roam’s Product Manager of Energy and Charging

This collaboration sets a new standard for charging infrastructure in Africa, positioning Roam as a leader in scalable, sustainable electric vehicle solutions, said Roam. The Kenya demonstration will serve as a model for other African nations seeking cleaner, more efficient transportation systems, it added.

Nadia Moussaid, ENERGICA’s Collaborative Project Manager, shared: “This partnership is a critical link between Africa and Europe, tackling urgent challenges such as energy access, climate change, and clean transport. Roam’s solar-powered electric mobility solutions will reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and transform urban transport in cities like Nairobi and Kisumu. Together, we’re building resilient, low-emission transport networks that empower communities and create sustainable jobs.”

brian@theenergyreview.com