WEBINAR RECAPEAST AFRICA · 2026

Powering Africa's EV future with fast charging.

How might Charging as a Service work for electric motorcycle riders in East Africa? Watch the conversation, read the research, and join the people building it next.

For
Watch the recording Recording · 57:55
7 contributors 5 ecosystems Recorded live · East Africa Skip to reports →
What we discussed

A real conversation about what fast charging asks of riders.

The session brought together perspectives from investment, EV manufacturing, charging infrastructure, policy, engineering, rider representation, research, and climate tech.

Together we explored what it will take for fast charging and other charging models to work in real rider lives. Not only as technical solutions, but as services riders can trust, afford, access, and use without putting their income at risk.

The webinar was hosted as part of a research initiative conducted by Proportion Global for ROAM, commissioned by British International Investment, exploring how Charging as a Service could work in a mixed ecosystem that already includes battery swapping and home charging.

How can Charging as a Service scale in a way that protects rider income, fits daily routines, builds trust, and strengthens the wider EV ecosystem in East Africa?

The central question of the session
7
Contributors
3
Rider signals surfaced
100+
Audience respondents
100%
Want to stay engaged
Three signals from the research

What riders are really telling us.

” Fast charging isn’t only about speed. For riders, it is about predictability, confidence, and earning continuity through the working day.”

Signal 01

Income protection beats headline savings.

Fast charging becomes attractive when it reduces downtime, protects trips, and helps riders stay in control of their day. Riders aren't only comparing prices — they're asking whether a charging model helps them earn more reliably.

Signal 02

Trust is fragile — and earned slowly.

Unclear battery performance, inconsistent service, weak proof signals, and poor communication can quickly erode confidence. Riders need transparent information, visible accountability, and reliable service experiences that prove the value of EVs over time.

Signal 03

Charging must fit everyday behaviour.

Repeat use depends on locations, hours, payment options, and support that match how riders already move and earn. Charging should fit into rider routines — not the other way around.

The research

Read the work behind the conversation.

The full report is now available, alongside a shorter highlights document. Both go deeper into rider signals, ecosystem questions, and recommendations for the actors building the East Africa EV market.

What the audience told us

A clear appetite to keep the conversation going.

During the webinar we asked participants what next steps they’d prefer after the session. Multiple selections were allowed.

respondents
Inform me about upcoming events and meetings related to the EV ecosystem56%
I'd like to become part of an online EV community to connect, share, and discuss50%
I'd like to contribute to solving ecosystem-wide challenges33%
I have an open innovation challenge in mind we could tackle as an ecosystem22%
No further interest0%

Participants could pick multiple options — totals exceed 100% by design. The signal: an open, practical, collaborative EV space in East Africa is wanted now.

Stay engaged

Join the East Africa EV ecosystem group.

A dedicated space on the Innovators Team platform for everyone working on, investing in, researching, regulating, using, or supporting electric mobility in the region.

Sign up free. You'll be enrolled in the EV group automatically.

A space to connect, share updates, discuss emerging questions, and explore opportunities for collaboration across the ecosystem.

Open to allFree foreverPractical & cross-sector
Who the group is for

Anyone working — practically — on EV adoption in East Africa.

PolicymakersInvestorsEV manufacturersBattery producersCharging operatorsMSMEs & charging hostsRider associationsFleet operatorsResearchersClimate tech orgsE-mobility orgsDevelopment partners…and anyone interested in practical collaboration
What happens next

Charging as a Service won't scale through technology alone.

It will require trust, rider-centred design, viable business models, better financing, practical policy support, reliable operations, and stronger coordination across the ecosystem.

The next step is to keep the conversation going — and turn shared questions into shared action.

  • 01 →Stay informed about upcoming events & meetings
  • 02 →Share research updates as they emerge
  • 03 →Surface ecosystem-wide challenges to tackle together
  • 04 →Build coalitions across investment, policy, ops & rider voice

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