• Uganda’s Zembo gets $1M from FMO to expand electric motorcycle rentals
• Aims to cut pollution and boost youth jobs in Kampala
• Needs support in regulation, credit, and infrastructure to scale regionally

Zembo Motorcycles, a Ugandan startup specializing in electric motorcycles, has secured $1 million in funding from FMO, the Dutch development bank. Local media reports indicate this investment is part of FMO’s broader commitment to promoting green, inclusive, and sustainable private sector growth in emerging markets.

Uganda, with a population exceeding 50 million, faces increasing pressure on its transport infrastructure. In Kampala, a city home to over 4 million residents, daily life is marked by air pollution, traffic congestion, and noise pollution. Informal motorcycle taxis, locally known as boda bodas, are the primary mode of transportation and a key source of employment. To address these challenges, Zembo has built a business model around electric motorcycle rentals with battery-swap stations, combining economic accessibility with positive environmental impact.

This transformation occurs amid persistent youth unemployment, which stood at 4.46% in 2024, according to Macrotrends. Zembo, currently employing 75 people, plans to hire additional staff to support its fleet expansion. The company is also developing partnerships with training centers to build a professional ecosystem around e-mobility, offering concrete prospects to urban youth who face limited job opportunities.

The success of Zembo’s model will depend on a stable regulatory environment, stronger public support, and expansion into other East African cities. Similar initiatives in Kenya, such as Roam Electric, and in Rwanda, like Ampersand, have already shown promising results in creating green jobs and fostering local industry development. To capitalize on these examples, key investments will be needed in vocational training, driver access to credit, and scaling up charging infrastructure.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou (Intern)