Source: press release Kenya Roam (prev. Opibus) | M-KOPA has chosen Roam as a major supplier for mass adoption of electric motorcycles. This is the first-ever large-scale supply agreement of electric motorcycles in Africa, signed with one of the largest and most respected asset-based fintech providers on the continent, focused on unlocking credit across Africa. The partnership will enable customers to lower operational costs by over 70% and increase daily income by 50%.
Nairobi, Kenya Roam, has today signed a major supply agreement with M-KOPA, the fintech platform that provides credit and digital financial services to underbanked consumers in Africa. This is the first-ever large-scale supply agreement for electric motorcycles in Africa. The agreement will enable the credit sales of electric motorcycles, lowering the barrier to entry for customers through affordable payment plans. Roam will deliver the fleet by the end of 2022 in time for mass deployment in early 2023. This milestone supports Roam’s vision of making electric vehicles more accessible to a broader market.
The fleet of Roam electric motorcycles features advancements of previous pilots, including optimization of performance, effectiveness and a more robust design. The motorcycles can be used for personal use but are also appropriate for cargo transportation and taxi services. Additionally, they come equipped with a removable dual battery pack, lowering downtime and increasing rider flexibility.
By combining the power of digital micropayments with the Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology, M-KOPA enables underbanked customers to access a broad range of products and services without collateral. M-KOPA will aid in the deployment of the motorcycles through its innovative ‘Pay-As-You-Go’ model, which allows customers instant access to products while building ownership over time through flexible micro-payments. Working with M-KOPA will streamline distribution of electric motorcycles, and, at the same time, provide the opportunity to grow Roam’s market reach in regions across Africa where M-KOPA operates, starting in Kenya. This will enable customers to lower their operational costs by over 70%, which results in increased daily income by 50%, a boost that can fundamentally change the livelihoods of the drivers.
“This agreement is an incredible trigger for electric motorcycle adoption in emerging markets and validates our vision of releasing a locally designed product that exceeds the experience of traditional fossil fuel motorcycles for a similar price. We want to provide a compelling environmental and economic solution for markets that haven’t been part of the electric vehicle transition yet. We believe the motorcycle taxi industry is one of the most impactful areas to start, given the growing market size and importance for low income earners not only in Africa but globally. Our partnership with M-KOPA will drive us both towards our shared vision of cleaner mobility.” Mikael Gånge, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Roam.
“The partnership with Roam aligns us with a major player equally committed to Africa’s sustainable development, and sees us expand our product offerings to include electric motorcycles, which is a true testament to the versatility of our fintech platform. At M-KOPA, we’re committed to lowering the barriers to entry and making everyday essentials accessible, especially to underbanked customers, through flexible payment plans. This rollout will have a transformative effect on the daily incomes of business people and reduce the environmental footprint of commerce, as it continues to grow in rapidly developing markets.” David Damberger, Managing Director – M-KOPA Mobility and M-KOPA Labs.
About Roam
Roam is a Swedish-Kenyan technology company that develops, designs and deploys electric vehicles tailored for the African continent, leading the transition to sustainable transport. Founded in 2017, it became the first company to deliver locally produced electric motorcycles and buses. With nearly 100 employees, Roam is today the leading provider of electric vehicles in Africa and was recently listed on TIME magazine’s top 100 most innovative companies.
About M-KOPA
Founded in 2011, M-KOPA is a fintech platform that provides credit and digital financial services to underbanked consumers by leveraging data to combine digital micropayments with the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. With operations in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and Ghana, M-KOPA’s platform has unlocked over $600 million in credit that has enabled 2 million customers to access smartphones, solar lighting, solar-powered appliances, electric motorcycles and digital financial services such as cash loans and health insurance.
