Rwandan electric motorbike company Ampersand has secured fresh funding to grow its operations in East Africa.
This recent investment round, with an undisclosed amount, was supported by British International Investment (BII), Seedstars Africa Ventures, Gaia Impact, Rwanda Green Fund, and several other partners. The new capital will help Ampersand increase its electric motorcycle fleet and expand its battery swap and charging network in the region.
Ampersand, founded in 2016, focuses on assembling and financing electric motorcycles. Its goal is to deploy 5 million electric motorcycles across Africa within the next decade. The company has already powered more than 5,700 electric bikes, covering about 950,000 kilometers daily in Rwanda and Kenya.
Josh Whale, Ampersand’s CEO, shared his excitement about the new funding. He said the support strengthens their mission to replace petrol motorcycles with cleaner, cheaper electric alternatives.
With backing from BII and other investors, we plan to double our battery fleet by early 2026 and deliver over 35,000 battery swaps every day
Seema Dhanani, regional director for East Africa at BII, said the investment aligns with their focus on climate innovation that creates jobs, lowers emissions, and promotes sustainable transport in Africa.
Seedstars Africa Ventures also praised Ampersand’s strong business model and team, citing their ability to turn batteries into bankable assets as a standout feature.
Last year, Ampersand raised $2 million in another funding round and signed an agreement with battery maker BYD. This deal will help them produce 40,000 electric motorcycles by 2026.
Ampersand recently introduced its updated flagship bike under the new brand name “Alpha.” The Alpha brand for affordability, cleaner air, and better public health for African cities.
