Spiro, a leading electric mobility company founded in 2019, on Monday announced plans to establish its first electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant in Ogun State, Nigeria.
This initiative aims to bolster local production and reduce reliance on imported vehicles and batteries, primarily from China.
Spiro’s Director for West Africa, Rahul Gaur, stated, “The plant will be operational in the first quarter of 2025 and enable us to ramp up production to 100,000 bikes”.
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A game-changer for Nigeria’s EV market
This assembly plant marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s burgeoning electric vehicle market. By increasing production from 1,000 units to an ambitious target of 100,000 electric bikes in early 2025, Spiro is poised to become a key player in West Africa’s EV sector.
Additionally, the facility will introduce the manufacturing of three-wheeled electric vehicles and integrate battery production into its operations.
This move enhances local manufacturing capabilities and aligns with global sustainability goals by reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation.
Moreover, Spiro’s innovative battery-swapping model offers riders convenient access to swap stations and various charging solutions.
This approach ensures that customers can easily replace their batteries without lengthy downtime.
Gaur emphasised the importance of this model: “We aim to make these vehicles highly competitive in terms of pricing to offer riders substantial cost savings.”
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Expanding horizons across Africa
Spiro’s expansion efforts extend beyond Nigeria. Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, the company plans to deploy 140,000 electric bikes in Uganda and 1.2 million in Kenya.
With over 22,000 electric motorbikes distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, Spiro is well-positioned for growth. The company has secured $143 million in funding to support these initiatives and aims to establish a robust network of fast-charging stations throughout Nigeria.
By localising production and enhancing infrastructure, Spiro is contributing to economic growth and promoting sustainable transportation solutions across the continent.
As Gaur notes, “Transportation in Africa contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions… By increasing local production, Spiro is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable transportation in Africa.”
With plans to enter markets like Tanzania, Ghana, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola by 2025, Spiro’s ambitious vision reflects a commitment to transforming Africa’s transportation system into more accessible and environmentally friendly.