Nairobi: Roam Kenya has launched its third cross-border expedition to demonstrate the power, reliability, and accessibility of electric motorcycles across Africa. The journey named The Road to Addis sets off on Sunday, October 5th, beginning a 1,600-kilometer journey from Nairobi to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in a bold test of long-distance electric mobility.
According to Kenya News Agency, The Road to Addis expedition follows Roam’s two earlier landmark rides: a 900-kilometer Border-to-Beach journey across Kenya and a record-breaking 6,000-kilometer solar-powered trip from Nairobi to Stellenbosch, South Africa. Habib Lukaya, Country Manager at Roam, stated, ‘The ride is not just about distance, but about proving that Africa is already writing its own story in the global electric mobility transition. After the 900 km and 6,000 km expeditions, the Road to Addis demonstrates once again that Roam Air can go the distance, built in Africa, for Africa.’
Each journey has redefined what is possible for electric motorcycles on the continent, and this latest adventure continues to showcase Africa’s leadership in clean transportation innovation. Timed to arrive in Ethiopia ahead of Africa E-Mobility Week, one of the continent’s most influential gatherings on sustainable transport, the journey aims to prove what many riders are asking: Can electric motorcycles go the distance even where charging infrastructure is limited?
The Roam Air, designed and manufactured in Kenya, is built to answer that question. With a 160-kilometer dual-battery range and the ability to charge from any standard power outlet, it eliminates range anxiety, demonstrating that electric mobility is not just a vision for tomorrow but a reality for Africa’s roads today. The full trip will go through Moyale, Yabello, Hawassa, Ziway, Adama, and finally Addis Ababa. Along the route, the team will engage with communities, schools, and local leaders, while documenting the realities and opportunities of electrification.
The expedition is being produced in collaboration with Intro. Africa, with storytelling captured through live updates, a docuseries, and a feature film that will highlight both the technical performance of the motorcycle and the human stories encountered along the way. The initiative is powered by Munja Energy as Platinum Sponsor, with Kenya Power (KPLC) providing charging infrastructure across Kenya and the Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) enabling access on the Ethiopian side.
With more than 76% of Kenyan households already connected to the grid and a dedicated e-mobility tariff in place, Kenya Power continues to be a driving force for clean mobility, ensuring that electric motorcycles like the Roam Air can be charged anywhere, anytime. The rider is expected to arrive in Addis Ababa on October 10th, just in time for Africa E-Mobility Week, where the expedition will be showcased to policymakers, investors, and innovators from across the continent.