{"id":2000115917,"date":"2026-06-16T16:13:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T14:13:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/?p=2000115917"},"modified":"2026-06-17T07:42:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T05:42:50","slug":"ev-boom-215m-funding-rider-savings-spiro-rwanda-md-amit-chawla-speaks-out-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/ev-boom-215m-funding-rider-savings-spiro-rwanda-md-amit-chawla-speaks-out-video\/","title":{"rendered":"EV boom, $215M funding & rider savings: Spiro Rwanda MD Amit Chawla speaks out (Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Spiro Rwanda Managing Director Amit Chawla discussed the company\u2019s growth, Rwanda\u2019s role in its expansion strategy, and the rising demand for electric motorcycles following the government\u2019s push toward cleaner transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiro recently received the Local Impact Champion Award at the Africa CEO Forum, an accolade Chawla said reflects Spiro\u2019s growing influence on livelihoods and the wider adoption of electric mobility in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are very honoured and humbled to have received this award,\u201d he said. \u201cIt means Spiro as an organisation has been able to touch the livelihoods of people, and electric mobility is getting its roots on the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spiro recently received the Local Impact Champion Award at the Africa CEO Forum.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

$215 million investment to scale across Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiro recently secured $215 million in funding backed by international investors, one of the largest investments in Africa\u2019s electric vehicle sector. Chawla said the capital will accelerate expansion across multiple markets, with Rwanda remaining a key hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRwanda is a very strategic place to be in,\u201d he noted, adding that the country will receive a significant share of the investment to expand assembling facilities, energy infrastructure, and operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the funding will support the wider group across Africa, he emphasised Rwanda\u2019s importance in Spiro\u2019s long-term growth plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spiro Rwanda Managing Director Amit Chawla, during a recent exclusive interview with IGIHE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rwanda at the centre of EV expansion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiro has operated in Rwanda for about three years, during which it has become one of the leading electric motorcycle and battery-swapping providers in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chawla said the company currently has around 25,000 electric motorcycles on the road and approximately 350 active battery swapping stations, with rapid expansion underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe demand has outpaced supply, especially after recent developments,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are actively adding 50 to 60 new swap stations every month.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company plans to expand its network beyond Kigali into all 30 districts, supported by ongoing investment in energy infrastructure and logistics systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spiro Rwanda has approximately 350 active battery swapping stations, with rapid expansion underway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rider savings driving adoption<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major driver of adoption, Chawla explained, is cost savings for riders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said electric motorcycles are significantly cheaper to operate compared to fuel-powered alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA Spiro bike costs around 1 million Rwandan francs compared to 2.2 to 2.5 million for a fuel bike,\u201d he said. \u201cOn running costs, riders save close to 50 percent daily.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that one electric charge can cover about 80 kilometres, compared to roughly 40 kilometres for fuel usage under similar conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chawla said electric motorcycles are significantly cheaper to operate compared to fuel-powered alternatives.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Spiro\u2019s model is centred on energy infrastructure rather than traditional vehicle sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe real business revolves around the energy infrastructure,\u201d Chawla explained. \u201cCustomers swap drained batteries for fully charged ones, and we generate revenue through swapping.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He noted that each battery is used for nearly 20 hours a day, making the system highly efficient and scalable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spiro has around 25,000 electric motorcycles on the road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Manufacturing, jobs, and local skills development<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spiro also operates a facility in Rwanda\u2019s Special Economic Zone in Masoro, focused on assembly and workforce training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chawla said the company is currently assembling motorcycles locally while importing components from Asia, but is gradually moving toward deeper local manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are training 225 young Rwandan engineers and technicians with the goal of moving toward local component manufacturing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across its operations, Spiro employs more than 1,650 people, with women making up 38 percent of the workforce, a figure the company aims to increase to 45 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chawla estimated that Spiro currently holds between 15 and 25 percent of the market, noting that the sector remains capital-intensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also acknowledged that demand growth has created operational pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDemand has really outpaced our expectations,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are blessed to be in this position.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The MD revealed that Spiro is training 225 young Rwandan engineers and technicians with the goal of moving toward local component manufacturing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Safety, reliability, and infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responding to concerns about reliability and safety, Chawla said electric mobility is still an emerging sector requiring user education and training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He maintained that Spiro\u2019s bikes undergo rigorous testing and highlighted the importance of rider training and safety as electric mobility adoption grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On operational challenges, he acknowledged occasional delays at swapping stations during peak hours but said expansion is underway to ease congestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are opening new stations aggressively and working with partners to increase electricity capacity for charging,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Government policy and market growth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chawla credited Rwanda\u2019s policy environment for enabling rapid growth in the sector, particularly the government\u2019s decision to halt new registrations of fuel motorcycles from January 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said such policies have accelerated adoption and strengthened investor confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond Rwanda, Spiro is expanding into markets such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia. Chawla said Rwanda will continue to play a key role as both a market and operational base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSpiro Rwanda is more than willing to support neighbouring countries with knowledge, operations, and best practices,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, Chawla said success for Spiro would mean tens of thousands more electric motorcycles on the road, expanded infrastructure, and wider access to clean, affordable transport across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cElectric mobility will become embedded in every part of transportation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch the full interview below: <\/p>\n\n\n\n