Gov’t, EU laud e-mobility innovations towards clean energy transition

KAMPALA - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, has lauded e-mobility innovators and the European Union (EU) for championing what she termed industrial growth and green innovation.

“E-mobility is the future of Uganda’s transport sector. The EU’s continued investment helps us build a cleaner, more inclusive economy, one that empowers local entrepreneurs and protects our environment,” noted Nankabirwa.

The minister made the remarks during the 2025 Green Diplomacy Week, where they visited Gogo Electric, a Kampala-based company assembling electric motorcycles and batteries.

Nankabirwa was in company of EU Ambassador Jan Sadek, Liesbet Mijlemans, and Bodawerk Chief Executive Officer Parth Shah.

The Green Diplomacy Week is the EU's commitment to climate action. The initiative aims to promote sustainable transport, biodiversity management, and climate action awareness in Uganda.

In 2024, the EU, through its ElectriFI impact investment facility, invested $1.5 million in the facility to support the local production of e-motorcycles and battery systems.

Building on this momentum, they also announced a new $1 million follow-on loan to expand Gogo’s battery-swapping infrastructure and boost production to an estimated 27,000 e-motorcycles and 43,000 batteries.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Sadek highlighted the EU’s ongoing commitment to Uganda’s clean energy transition.

“The European Union’s investment in Gogo Electric demonstrates our shared vision for a climate-neutral, job-creating and sustainable economy. This is the European Green Deal in action, supporting innovation, clean air, and livelihoods,” he said.

The ElectriFI facility, funded by the EU, provides early-stage financing to unlock private investment in renewable energy and energy access projects.

Sadek noted that this forms a key part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which has mobilised over €300 billion in sustainable investments globally since 2021.

Gogo Electric currently employs around 250 Ugandans, with plans to create more jobs as production scales up.

Its “battery-as-a-service” model aligns with Uganda’s National E-Mobility Strategy while reducing an estimated 148,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

“The European Green Deal aims to cut emissions by at least 50% by 2030, rising towards 55% while legally binding the 2050 neutrality goal through the European Climate Law,” Sadek said.

He added that the initiative “pushes forward a clean transition that protects people and the planet, economically sound and socially fair.”