By Segun Adeyanju
Kaushik Burman, the Chief Executive Officer of Spiro, is steering Africa toward a cleaner transport future after raising over $150 million to expand the continent’s largest electric mobility network.
Burman, a former Shell and Gogoro executive, leads Spiro with a bold vision to make electric bikes affordable, desirable, and locally made.
Since its 2022 launch, the company has grown rapidly across Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Togo, Benin, and Uganda, deploying over 40,000 e-bikes and 800 battery-swapping stations, logging more than 500 million kilometres of carbon-free travel.
“Our mission is simple, build technology that works, lasts, and changes lives,” Burman said. “We’re not just selling bikes; we’re creating jobs, supporting local economies, and shaping Africa’s e-mobility future.”
Spiro’s $150 million funding includes a $50 million facility from Afreximbank and $63 million from Société Générale, supporting expansion and local manufacturing.
The firm recently opened an assembly plant in Kenya, with another underway in Ogun State, Nigeria, sourcing up to 30% of its components locally.
At ₦1.44 million ($960), Spiro’s electric bikes offer riders up to 40% savings on fuel and maintenance compared to petrol-powered motorcycles.
Burman’s Africa-focused strategy blends innovation with impact, proving that the continent’s roads may yet lead the next global mobility revolution.
