Business
Electric mobility to accelerate sustainable last-mile e-commerce
The rollout begins with 268 electric motorcycles, part of over 1,000 planned deployments, to cut emissions, lower delivery costs and improve the efficiency of last-mile digital and financial service distribution across Uganda.
The Country Director Spiro Uganda, Brenden Kachenje, and Airtel Mobile Managing Director Japhet Aritho, among other officials after launching the partnership at the assembling plant in Namanve on Thursday. (Credit: Aloysious Kasoma)
By: Aloysious Kasoma, Journalist @New Vision
The shift toward sustainable e-commerce has been strengthened with the introduction of electric motorcycles into the Airtel Money nationwide digital distribution network.
The rollout begins with 268 electric motorcycles, part of over 1,000 planned deployments, to cut emissions, lower delivery costs and improve the efficiency of last-mile digital and financial service distribution across Uganda.
The Country Director, Spiro Uganda, Brenden Kachenje, noted that electric mobility is emerging as a powerful tool in the corporate agenda, and commended Airtel for the bold move to adopt and incorporate electric vehicles in their daily operations.
"This partnership is meant to support Spiro’s commitment to champion a greener, cleaner environment and lead the country’s e-mobility agenda. To this, Spiro Uganda is committed to deploying 50,000 electric bikes by December 2026,” he explained.
The Country Director, Spiro Uganda, Brenden Kachenje, noted that electric mobility is emerging as a powerful tool in the corporate agenda, and commended Airtel for the bold move to adopt and incorporate electric vehicles in their daily operations.
"This partnership is meant to support Spiro’s commitment to champion a greener, cleaner environment and lead the country’s e-mobility agenda. To this, Spiro Uganda is committed to deploying 50,000 electric bikes by December 2026,” he explained.
Kachenje pointed that as e-commerce and digital financial services continue to expand, the demand for reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable logistics has grown.
The adoption of electric motorcycles demonstrates how businesses can simultaneously improve operational performance while advancing climate action goals.
Under the programme, franchise partners will acquire brand-new electric motorcycles through an interest-free financing arrangement with repayments spread over 24 months through monthly commission deductions.
The model lowers the barrier to adopting clean transport technologies while enabling small business operators to improve productivity without the burden of high upfront investment.
Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited Managing Director Japhet Aritho said the initiative reflects the company's commitment to responsible business practices that combine commercial growth with environmental stewardship.
"As Airtel continues to grow, so does our responsibility to ensure that our products and services reach customers faster, more efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner. Our Franchise Partners are the backbone of our distribution network, and today we are investing in them. By making electric motorcycles more accessible, we are helping our partners become more productive, reduce their operating costs, and together protect our planet," Aritho said.
Franchise partners form the backbone of Uganda's digital commerce ecosystem by delivering SIM cards, distributing mobile money float and ensuring customers across the country can conveniently access digital communication and financial services.
With electric motorcycles, operators are expected to spend less on fuel and maintenance while benefiting from GPS-enabled fleet management, dependable after-sales support and an expanding battery-swapping infrastructure.
The transition is expected to strengthen last-mile e-commerce by enabling faster, more reliable deliveries while reducing the environmental footprint associated with conventional fuel-powered transport.
Efficient logistics remain one of the key drivers of digital commerce, particularly in underserved and rural markets where motorcycles provide the primary means of reaching customers.
The programme also illustrates the growing convergence between sustainability and digital transformation. As more Ugandans embrace online transactions, mobile money services and digital platforms, businesses are increasingly seeking logistics solutions that align with national and global climate commitments.
The company plans to deploy 50,000 electric motorcycles across Uganda by the end of 2026, expanding the country's charging and battery-swapping infrastructure while supporting cleaner urban and rural transport.
The adoption of electric motorcycles also contributes to cleaner air by reducing exhaust emissions from thousands of daily delivery trips.
The adoption of electric motorcycles demonstrates how businesses can simultaneously improve operational performance while advancing climate action goals.
Under the programme, franchise partners will acquire brand-new electric motorcycles through an interest-free financing arrangement with repayments spread over 24 months through monthly commission deductions.
The model lowers the barrier to adopting clean transport technologies while enabling small business operators to improve productivity without the burden of high upfront investment.
Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited Managing Director Japhet Aritho said the initiative reflects the company's commitment to responsible business practices that combine commercial growth with environmental stewardship.
"As Airtel continues to grow, so does our responsibility to ensure that our products and services reach customers faster, more efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner. Our Franchise Partners are the backbone of our distribution network, and today we are investing in them. By making electric motorcycles more accessible, we are helping our partners become more productive, reduce their operating costs, and together protect our planet," Aritho said.
Franchise partners form the backbone of Uganda's digital commerce ecosystem by delivering SIM cards, distributing mobile money float and ensuring customers across the country can conveniently access digital communication and financial services.
With electric motorcycles, operators are expected to spend less on fuel and maintenance while benefiting from GPS-enabled fleet management, dependable after-sales support and an expanding battery-swapping infrastructure.
The transition is expected to strengthen last-mile e-commerce by enabling faster, more reliable deliveries while reducing the environmental footprint associated with conventional fuel-powered transport.
Efficient logistics remain one of the key drivers of digital commerce, particularly in underserved and rural markets where motorcycles provide the primary means of reaching customers.
The programme also illustrates the growing convergence between sustainability and digital transformation. As more Ugandans embrace online transactions, mobile money services and digital platforms, businesses are increasingly seeking logistics solutions that align with national and global climate commitments.
The company plans to deploy 50,000 electric motorcycles across Uganda by the end of 2026, expanding the country's charging and battery-swapping infrastructure while supporting cleaner urban and rural transport.
The adoption of electric motorcycles also contributes to cleaner air by reducing exhaust emissions from thousands of daily delivery trips.