Grace Ashiru
The new plant will greatly increase production from 1,000 units in 2024 and signal the company’s expansion into the three-wheeler market.
Spiro, an electric mobility company active in seven African countries, is set to open its first EV assembly plant in Ogun State, Nigeria, by March 2025. This initiative will establish Spiro as a major force in West Africa’s electric vehicle market, cutting dependence on imported vehicles and batteries from China.
“The plant will be operational in the first quarter of 2025, allowing us to scale production to 100,000 bikes,” said Rahul Gaur, Spiro’s Director for West Africa. “This will also include localizing the manufacturing of three-wheelers and batteries.”
The move follows Spiro’s entry into the Ogun State market six months ago, with 22,000 electric motorbikes deployed across sub-Saharan Africa. The new plant will ramp up production from the current 1,000 units in 2024 and mark the company’s expansion into the three-wheeler segment. Additionally, Spiro will lead the development of public fast-charging infrastructure in Nigeria.
In January 2025, Spiro will begin testing three-wheelers across multiple Nigerian states. “We are also testing these vehicles in other markets, where they achieve a range of 100 kilometers on a single charge,” said Gaur. “Our goal is to make these vehicles highly competitive in pricing, providing riders with significant cost savings.”
Transportation in Africa is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, growing at an annual rate of 7%. By ramping up local production, Spiro is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in the development of sustainable transportation across the continent.
Founded in 2019, Spiro utilizes a distinctive battery-swapping model, providing riders with easy access to swap stations, fast and slow chargers, and home charging options. This adaptable system ensures customers receive efficient and convenient energy delivery.
Spiro’s success is partly due to robust government backing. Similar to Ampersand, Rwanda’s largest EV manufacturer, Spiro has formed partnerships with at least three African governments to drive its initiatives. In 2023, it collaborated with the Ugandan government to deploy 140,000 bikes by 2028 and with Kenya to introduce 1.2 million electric vehicles. In May 2024, Spiro expanded its presence in Ogun State by launching three swap stations with a total capacity of 72 chargeable batteries. Additionally, the company has partnered with other electric mobility firms such as Max, Dot, and Onocon, all aligned with a shared vision for sustainable transportation.
Spiro has allocated more than half of its $143 million in funding to achieve its current scale. To support further expansion, the company anticipates requiring an additional $100 million to roll out 10,000 more bikes.
Spiro is actively pursuing an ambitious expansion strategy. Currently operating in seven countries—including Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda in East Africa, as well as Togo, Benin, and Nigeria in West Africa—the company plans to extend its footprint to Tanzania, Ghana, and Cameroon in the coming months, according to Gaur. Looking ahead to 2025, Spiro also has its sights set on entering the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.
