Tecno phones Chinese producer to step up electric bike sales in Uganda

June 12, 2025 in Transport by Editor

In a move also intended to boost sales of the company’s own TankVolt e-bikes, first introduced to Uganda in 2023, Transsion plans to offer the battery-as-a-service facility by the end of June or early July.

Transsion, the Chinese company known for its popular smart phone brands Tecno, Itel and Infinix, wants to raise its profile in Uganda by introducing a battery leasing service targeting the boda boda and gig market.

The advantage with battery-as a-service is that it allows riders to operate their electric boda bodas without shouldering the upfront expense of purchasing the battery outright.

TankVolt e-bikes come with built-in or swappable batteries, but Transsion has considerable ground to make up in terms of competing with Spiro, the current market leader.

Battery swapping involves a fast, convenient exchange of a depleted battery for a fully charged one at a dedicated station. Leasing, on the other hand, involves paying a recurring fee to use a battery, typically for a set period.

According to the Uganda Electric Mobility Association (UEMA) E-mobility in Uganda is still in its early stages, with over 3,000 electric motorcycles but less than 100 each of electric cars and buses.

The sector is dominated by electric two-wheelers, driven by cost advantages and a growing network of battery swap stations. While Uganda has begun implementing fiscal incentives and introduced the National E-Mobility Strategy, there are gaps in policy stability and clarity, particularly in terms of import duties and VAT exemptions.

Transsion’s business model continues to focus on emerging markets, particularly in Africa, where it is now a dominant player through its brands Tecno, itel, and Infinix. By offering sleek designs at affordable prices, the company has won a huge following across the continent.

Transsion’s strategy involves offering a wide range of products, including feature phones and smart phones, at various price points, with features tailored to local needs.

According to industry-watcher, Electricity Hub, the African motorcycle market, expected to reach $5.07 billion by 2027, sees significant contributions from Chinese companies, particularly in battery production and assembly.

Environmental awareness and technological advances have driven many African countries to promote electric motorcycles. This effort aims to reduce pollution and embrace greener alternatives. The expansion of online motorcycle taxi services has further boosted this market.