Boda boda riders are increasingly demanding faster charging, stronger battery security, and reduced downtime in the growing e-mobility space.
These emerging needs are reshaping how manufacturers and policymakers are approaching innovation in the space, with companies focusing more on practical usability issues that point towards income stability for riders who depend on daily trips.
According to electric mobility firm ROAM, customer feedback in the recent past has been central in shaping its new generation of electric motorcycles, particularly the need to minimise time spent off the road.
Country manager Habib Lukaya acknowledges that riders have consistently pushed for faster charging solutions to solve the challenge of battery downtime, which has, in some cases, limited operational efficiency for commercial users in Nairobi and other urban centres.
The firm says that this demand has driven the development of its latest model, the Roam Air Gen 3, a modest upgrade in its electric bike lineup.
The new model introduces the redesigned Roam Gen 3 battery, engineered to reduce theft, shorten charging times, and deliver greater durability for commercial riders.
Its new battery system introduces fast charging capabilities designed to significantly reduce waiting time, allowing riders to recharge more quickly and return to work, a feature it believes will directly translate into higher daily earnings.
Beyond charging speed, battery security has also emerged as a key concern, with theft risks prompting manufacturers to integrate tracking technologies.
ROAM says its smart battery system incorporates IoT-enabled tracking that allows users to locate batteries in real time and improve asset recovery.
The firm also says the system is designed to support financing models within the sector, giving lenders more confidence to extend credit for additional batteries and helping riders expand operational range without facing upfront capital barriers.
“We designed the Roam Air Gen 3 around the real challenges riders face: long charging times, affordability, theft, and tough road conditions. Every feature, from fast charging to tracking and durability, is focused on keeping riders on the road, reducing operating costs, and increasing daily earnings,” Lukaya said.
Addressing the supply chain considerations, Lukaya said the sector remains largely unshaken with the global disruptions, including tensions in the Middle East.
He says the disruptions have had a limited impact on the company due to its local sourcing strategy and early importation of key components.
“We have invested heavily in a local supply chain, whereby we source almost up to 40 per cent of the bike components locally. So we are not heavily affected by the issues that we are having in the Middle East,” Lukaya said.
“Components that we actually get from overseas, from international suppliers, have already landed in Kenya a long time ago. So we are not experiencing any challenge when it comes to the shipment of these components.”
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