Electric mobility company, Roam, has launched a large-scale financing program for electric motorcycles in partnership with microfinance provider Fortune Credit; an initiative that will begin with the deployment of more than 600 Roam Air Gen 2 units.
- •Designed to address long-standing affordability barriers in the informal transport and delivery sectors, the program offers a structured financing model requiring a KSh 25,000 deposit and daily payments of KSh 527 over two years.
- •The financing package includes full ownership of the motorcycle and the battery, as well as bundled access to insurance, health cover, and both home and network-based charging infrastructure.
- •Roam’s latest model, the Air Gen 2, introduces over 40 upgrades tailored to the needs of everyday and business riders including a 240-kilogram payload frame, dual battery range of up to 160 kilometers, enhanced waterproofing, and safer battery locking mechanisms.
“This partnership isn’t just about selling Roam Air, but it is about breaking systemic barriers. By offering a locally made, zero-emission motorcycle with a flexible ownership model, we’re enablingmore riders and businesses to switch to electric, save money, and create jobs,” said Habib Lukaya, Regional Sales Operations Manager at Roam.
The financing structure is notable for its integration with a blended finance facility. Fortune Credit’s risk exposure is partially covered through a first-loss facility backed by the Green for Access Fund, allowing it to offer lower-cost loans to underserved segments without compromising portfolio health. The model aligns with emerging strategies to de-risk clean energy lending by combining donor capital with private execution.
“By sharing risk with trusted financial institutions like Fortune Credit, we enable inclusive lending that accelerates the adoption of clean, productive-use technologies,” said David Ekabouma, Managing Director – Fund Management, GreenMax Capital Group.
While previous electric vehicle adoption efforts have largely targeted higher-income consumers or corporates, Roam’s program is positioned to reach gig workers, informal sector operators, and small-scale logistics firms.
Roam’s entry into the financing space represents a strategic expansion of its business model, aiming not just to sell vehicles but to embed electric mobility deeper into regional livelihoods.
