Spiro Motorcycles Sustainable and Affordable Solution Made in Rwanda

By Doreen Karungi

This was among the key highlights on Friday, July 25, 2025, when the CEO of Spiro electric motorcycles held a press conference to showcase the available bikes, their production process, and their unique advantages.

Kaushik Burman, CEO of Spiro highlights that the Rwandan government’s initiative to promote electric vehicles is a remarkable opportunity and one of the rare examples globally.

“Very few countries have established policies to phase out fuel-powered motorcycles like Rwanda has done. This is crucial in protecting the environment, as transport contributes nearly 30% of air-polluting emissions.”says Kaushik

Burman continues: “Many motorcycles currently used in Rwanda still run on fuel, but Spiro has committed to providing a long-term, affordable, and accessible solution: electric motorcycles. These motorcycles are made by Rwandans, which is a testament to Spiro’s commitment to advancing local technology.”

“We are building a battery swapping network that allows users to replace a depleted battery with a fully charged one in under two minutes, compared to the five or more minutes typically spent at a fuel station.”says kaushik

Kaushik declares that the infrastructures will be established across the country — from North to South, and East to West and
confirms that the company employs over 200 Rwandans working on motorcycles, batteries, and the distribution network.

“We will continue working with the government and legal institutions to jointly promote sustainable technology.”says Kaushik

He mentioned plans to scale up research and development by hiring university and technical school graduates.
He also announced the launch of Spiro Academy, a training center aimed to empower women and individuals with limited education so they can access employment opportunities in the sector.

He concludes: “We are leading the transformation of Rwanda’s transport future.”says Kaushik

Arun Bhandari, Country Head, stated that since their inception, they have prioritized the safety of road users.
He explains that the motorcycles are designed to automatically shut off the motor when the brakes are applied, helping to reduce accidents.

“Although this won’t completely eliminate accidents, it significantly reduces their likelihood.”says Bhandari

He added that the safety helmets provided meet the required standards, thanks to close collaboration with regulatory agencies.
Regarding motorcycle delivery delays, he attributed them to careful market preparation and sustainable planning.

“Now, motorcycles will be available at all times — not just for a couple of months.” says Bhandari

He confirms that Spiro has already reached 25 districts, with a goal to have motorcycles operating across the entire country by the end of the year, ensuring that no rider is hindered by electricity-related issues.
In terms of spare parts, he said all essential components are imported and prepared before the motorcycles hit the roads.

The company is also partnering with 35 garages in Kigali and other provinces to train mechanics capable of maintaining the bikes.
He added that over 3,500 motorcycles have already been delivered to customers who pre-ordered them, and the remaining units will be delivered in July and August.

“There are over 6,000 motorcycles currently on the market, 95% of which are in Kigali, but by the end of the year, 20% will be in other provinces.”says Bhandari

Regarding warranty, he said the motorcycles come with a 2-year or 20,000-kilometer warranty on the motor, and other parts will be readily available as needed.
He concludes by assuring customers that the bikes are of high quality and that comprehensive service will be available countrywide.

Ngabire Shanton, Head of Commercial, announced that they aim to deploy 25,000 new motorcycles on the road this year.

“We are doing everything possible to help motorcyclists acquire bikes and pay for them in affordable ways.We are working with financial institutions to facilitate access to loans for bike purchases and ensure a reliable repayment model.”says Ngabire

He added that around 2,500 motorcycles have already been distributed or are awaiting unloading, and by the end of August, all 25,000 will be available.

“We currently have over 5,000 motorcycles on the road, and our goal is to ensure they are accessible throughout the country in the near future.”says Ngabire

Felix Rubanda, Director General of the Rwanda Energy Group, explained that 156 electric charging stations for motorcycles are already operational.

He added that more stations are yet to be launched due to missing equipment, but the total is expected to reach 350 once fully completed.
Rubanda emphasized the urgent need for these stations due to the growing number of electric motorcycles.
He said: “We need many stations to continue serving motorcyclists, as their numbers are increasing significantly.”says Rubanda

He also clarified that these stations are not only in Kigali but have also been established in various provinces across Rwanda, such as Rusizi, Nyagatare, and others.