By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
A Leading Ugandan EV manufacturer BODAWERK, now rebranded as GOGO has launched affordable electric motorbikes in Kampala.
The launch took place on Wednesday 4th October during a customer service appreciation and celebration of Uganda Independence Day at a luncheon hosted for over 400 boda boda riders in Kampala.
The manufacturer has also announced a partnership with Watu Credit Uganda Ltd. to help bring over 1,000 new EVs to the Ugandan market by the end of 2023.
‘’BODAWERK will now be known as GOGO, as we start our journey to transition the Ugandan Boda industry to electric bikes over the next two years, ‘’ Ben Lokeris Koriang, Founder of GOGO, said during the event, ‘’to bring this to life, we have partnered with Watu who will help finance our expansion initiatives as well as provide credit for boda boda riders to switch to EV.’’ He added.
During the event, Francis Chandia, EV Manager at Watu, said: “The future of transportation is electric because it offers an affordable and healthier alternative to fuel-powered vehicles. Aligned with Uganda’s ambition of increasing the number of EV vehicles by 2026, our partnership with GOGO is timely, as we will help GOGO accelerate the production of EV bikes for the market and increase the number of battery swapping stations. In addition, we will provide financing to many boda operators to make the switch.’’
This announcement is pivotal and aligns with the Ugandan government’s ambitious plan to remove at least 25% of diesel and petrol vehicles from its roads by 2026. By providing accessible and affordable financing for electric vehicles, this partnership is poised to accelerate their adoption and significantly contribute to the nation’s sustainability goals.
The Kampala City Authority estimates that there are 150,000 motorcycles in Kampala, less than 1% of these are electric. Over one million motorcycles are on the roads in Uganda, with about 750,000 operating in Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso districts. This means there is a market for hundreds of new electric bodas in Kampala over the next two years.
Boda boda riders account for more than 80 per cent of the Ugandan motorcycle market.
GOGO targets to secure 1,000 riders on the road and 2,000 battery swaps per day by the end of 2023, and 20,000 riders consuming 3GWh of electricity per month by the end of 2024. Additionally, the company aims to commission East Africa’s largest lithium-ion battery pack factory in 2024.
GOGO launched as BODAWERK in Uganda 6 years ago and provides several transportation solutions tied to its smart batteries. Its electric motorbike, the E-BODA Commuter, has a single gear and can provide up to 100km of range with a 150kg load capacity. GOGO also has a battery-powered three-wheeler vehicle for larger cargo transport and the e-outboard, a battery-powered engine for boats made available for fishermen.
The GOGO smart battery can produce 4.6 Yaka units of electricity, 100km on the road (E-BODA), pump 25,000 l of water (10m high), or 45 minutes on the water (e-outboard).
Watu’s investment to grow GOGO
Watu’s investment in GOGO aims to foster the expansion of the electric motorbike industry in Uganda. As well as facilitating the building of EVs, Watu is helping to establish a network of battery-swapping stations throughout the country to support the growth of electric vehicles (EVs).
‘’For most of our riders who use their bikes for business, what they care about is being able to run a more efficient business by spending less on fuel and having an EV that they can use without worrying that the battery will run dry in the middle of nowhere. We are working with GOGO to set up more battery-swapping stations across Kampala. With the battery swap stations, riders will have the confidence to invest in EV bikes as they can operate without worrying that their battery will run out,’’ says Mr. Koriang.
Watu has been at the forefront of asset financing for two and three-wheeler vehicles across Africa. So far, the company has financed the purchase of over 1,000 electric assets between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, with plans to expand across the African continent.
About Watu
Since its establishment in 2015, Watu has emerged as the leading provider of asset financing for the boda boda community, playing a pivotal role in their journey of growth and prosperity. Watu has invested substantial financial and strategic resources to uplift local economies and improve the lives of thousands of individuals. For more information, visit Watu’s website https://watuafrica.com/
About GOGO
Previously known as Bodawerk International Limited, GOGO is a technology company driven by the mission to accelerate a sustainable transition to renewable energy through technology and products. It has a vision to become Africa’s leading battery, charging and inversion technology company, contributing to an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future. Read more about GOGO here: https://bodawerk.com/about/
