Kayoola e-coach takes off on 13,000km trans-Africa electric expedition showcasing homegrown innovation

November 20, 2025 in Companies, Science and Technology, Transport by Editor

Uganda has launched a 13,000km Trans-Africa electric expedition featuring the locally built Kayoola Electric Coach, showcasing the country’s manufacturing capability and proving the readiness of African-made mobility solutions for long-distance, cross-border transport.

Uganda today flagged off its homegrown Kayoola Electric Coach on an ambitious 30-day transcontinental journey designed to demonstrate the strength and scalability of the country’s electric-mobility sector and the growing capabilities of its manufacturing industry.

The Made in Uganda Grand Trans-Africa Electric Expedition will see the locally designed and manufactured Kayoola Electric Coach travel more than 13,000 kilometres across six countries, marking one of Africa’s most extensive electric-vehicle endurance missions to date.

But the route—cutting through Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini and South Africa—is intended to do far more than test engineering limits. Organisers describe it as a statement of industrial confidence, a showcase of Uganda’s manufacturing potential, and clear evidence that African-made technology can address real mobility and climate-related challenges on the continent.

At the centre of the expedition is the Kayoola Electric Coach 13M (Model 2025), built by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC). By undertaking a demanding cross-border journey, the team aims to prove that locally designed electric-mobility solutions can meet the rigours of long-distance transport while remaining efficient, reliable and commercially scalable. For Uganda, the mission aligns with broader ambitions to position the country as a regional hub for high-value manufacturing and to unlock new continental markets for its emerging technologies.

The flag-off event celebrated a wide coalition of partners from government and the private sector. MTN Uganda is serving as the lead sponsor and connectivity partner, supporting the vehicle’s digital and data-driven needs throughout the expedition. The initiative is also backed by the Made in Uganda (MIU) campaign, Kiira Motors Corporation, and the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat (STI-OP), underscoring the collaborative nature of the mission.

Gen. Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport, described the expedition as a glimpse into the next era of public mobility. He argued that well-integrated mass transport is essential for modern African cities, and the Kayoola coach represents a viable path toward that future. “As we flag off this historic expedition, we are sending a message to the world: Uganda believes in its people, its technology, and Africa’s capacity to shape a sustainable future,” he said, calling the journey “proof in motion.”

Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, emphasised the expedition’s wider continental significance, noting that it embodies Africa’s growing drive toward industrial self-reliance. “This expedition represents a bold vision for Africa’s industrial transformation,” she said. “It shows that with creativity, investment and collaboration, our continent can lead in technology and sustainability.”

As the Kayoola Electric Coach heads southward, the mission becomes both a technical endurance test and a symbolic statement. For its organisers, the message is  that African innovation is ready for continental scale, and African-built technologies can power the next chapter of mobility, climate resilience and industrial growth.