E-Safiri is a startup from Kenya focused on developing sustainable transportation solutions based on renewable energy and electric vehicles. Its mission is to address the severe environmental pollution and shortage of eco-friendly transport options in African cities. Rather than focusing solely on product development, E-Safiri has chosen a comprehensive approach by building an electric mobility ecosystem that includes a network of charging stations, battery swapping services, a mobile management application, and the integration of national grid electricity with renewable energy sources.
The battery swapping and charging station network forms a core part of E-Safiri’s technology strategy. Instead of requiring users to wait for hours to recharge batteries, their fast battery-swapping solution enables users to continue their journeys in just a few minutes. This technology is especially suited to Kenya’s dense urban centers, where infrastructure is limited, but transportation demand is high. These charging stations are designed for flexible operation, using both the national power grid and solar energy—an abundant natural resource in Kenya—to reduce carbon emissions and operating costs. The ability to optimize electricity consumption and manage energy distribution at each charging station demonstrates E-Safiri’s strong R&D capabilities.
Complementing its physical infrastructure, E-Safiri has developed a mobile application that allows users to locate the nearest charging station, reserve time slots, and manage their charging or battery-swapping history. This represents not only an improvement in user experience but also a way for the startup to collect behavioral data and optimize system performance in real time. While technical details of the platform have not been publicly disclosed, the app’s functionality—such as real-time station tracking, booking coordination, and grid integration—suggests that the company has invested heavily in its backend technology, likely using distributed backend systems, real-time mapping, and APIs compatible with station management systems.
Beyond the technological aspect, E-Safiri is committed to broader sustainable development by creating green jobs within local communities. Operating an electric vehicle ecosystem requires technicians, operations personnel, logistics teams, and customer support staff—all of which contribute to building a circular local economy.
At the P4G Vietnam Summit 2025, E-Safiri had the opportunity to present its solution to international partners. This was a significant milestone, allowing the company to expand collaborations and demonstrate the practical potential of its model for replication across other countries in the region.
Compared to many other electric vehicle solutions that typically focus only on providing vehicles or personal chargers, E-Safiri stands out with its ecosystem-based approach. This is especially relevant for developing countries where infrastructure is still fragmented. The battery-swapping model helps solve one of the biggest limitations of electric vehicles: long charging times and sparse charging networks. Additionally, incorporating solar energy into operations reduces dependence on the national power grid—a major challenge in expanding EV adoption in Africa.
With a clear strategy and objectives, E-Safiri is opening up significant opportunities for the development of the electric transportation sector in Kenya and other countries in the region. This is an important step toward promoting the transition to sustainable transportation, reducing pollution, and creating an eco-friendly transportation ecosystem that is scalable and has a lasting impact.
