Doreen Orishaba: How to make transportation quieter, cleaner and cheaper

How to make transportation quieter, cleaner and cheaper

When Doreen Orishaba helped build Africa’s first electric car in 2011, skeptics dismissed it as a “toy for the Western world.” Now she’s running dozens of electric buses across Kenya and Rwanda, moving thousands of passengers to work every day on zero-exhaust vehicles powered by near-silent engines. She breaks down what it actually takes to scale clean transport — and why skipping the gas station pit stop is closer than you may think.

Scaling clean transport is possible, as shown by fleets of electric buses now moving over 30,000 passengers daily in Kenya and Rwanda. Locally assembled and powered almost entirely by renewables, these buses can cut up to 50 tonnes of CO2 per vehicle each year—five times more than a Tesla in California. By focusing on practical innovations like pay-as-you-drive leasing, locally tailored designs, and robust charging infrastructure, electric mobility is gaining momentum. Africa’s rapid adoption proves the continent can lead the global shift to zero-carbon transport without waiting for subsidies.

Africa’s Electric Bus Revolution Leaves Fossil Fuels Behind

Electric buses are transforming public transport across Kenya and Rwanda, moving over 30,000 passengers every day with zero exhaust and near-silent rides. Locally assembled vehicles, powered by more than 90 percent renewable electricity, cut costs and pollution while creating jobs. Despite challenges like range anxiety and charging infrastructure, innovative financing and tailored bus designs are making clean transport practical and scalable. This shift is not just catching up but putting Africa at the forefront of global mobility change.

Public transport is being transformed as locally built electric buses now carry over 30,000 passengers every day across Kenya and Rwanda. Powered by more than 90 percent renewable energy, each bus cuts up to 50 tonnes of CO2 annually—five times more than a Tesla in California. Innovative models like pay-as-you-drive leasing and rapid charging infrastructure make clean mobility accessible, showing zero-carbon transport is not just possible but thriving in Africa. Local assembly creates jobs and builds manufacturing skills for the future.