After 39 days and more than 13,600 kilometers on the open road across Africa, the Grand Electric Trans-African Expedition concluded on Sunday as the team returned to Kampala aboard a fully electric bus designed and built in Uganda, Kiira Motors Corporation’s flagship 13-meter Kayoola EV Model 2025.
The journey, which began in November 2025 and spanned six countries from Uganda to Cape Town and back, was unprecedented not only in its distance but also in its origin.
It marked the first time an African-manufactured electric coach completed a transcontinental round trip, positioning Uganda at the forefront of the continent’s electric mobility transition.
The team was supported by MTN’s regional network, and the mission was primarily set out to demonstrate that long-distance electric travel in Africa is practical, scalable, and commercially viable.
The bus performed reliably across highways, heat, elevation changes, and long unsupported stretches, with only one minor incident reported. Much of the route lacked fixed charging infrastructure, so the team relied partly onmobile charging solutions and planned support stops.
The experiment has shown that EV coaches can operate in regions with minimal infrastructure, with proper planning and support.
Ambitious journey
The 48-member expedition team arrived at a warm reception at Metroplex Mall in Naalya, marking not only the end of an ambitious continental journey but also a milestone for Africa’s sustainable transport ambitions, where electric mobility and digital technology converge.
“This journey affirms that Africa’s solutions can be designed, built, and deployed right here at home,” Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala said. “Electric mobility is no longer a future concept. It is a present opportunity, and Uganda has shown leadership in turning vision into action.”
390 kilometers per day
Connectivity played a central role throughout the journey. Digital solutions were critical to ensuring safety, monitoring performance, and seamless cross-border operations. Using MTN’s infrastructure, the team continuously tracked energy consumption, vehicle performance, safety systems, and route efficiency across diverse terrains and climates.
By the end of the expedition, the Kayoola electric coach had consumed 5,189.66 kilowatt-hours of energy, substituted 5,941.76 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, and replaced 5,189 liters of fossil fuel. The bus averaged 0.79 kilowatt-hours per kilometer and covered 390 kilometers per day.
Multiple reports note that the convoy occasionally used mobile charging stations on stretches without fixed charging infrastructure, but no public technical description (power rating, generator vs battery-buffered, connector type) has been provided
Beyond the distance covered, the expedition sent a strong signal to industry. Uganda is currently the only country on the continent manufacturing electric buses at scale, with Kiira Motors’ locally designed and assembled buses serving as mobile showcases of Africa’s industrial capability.
As celebrations concluded, the expedition’s broader significance remained clear. What began as an ambitious experiment evolved into a continental statement on Africa’s ability to power its future sustainably through homegrown innovation, digital infrastructure, and strategic partnerships.
