From Kenya to South Africa on a solar-powered e-motorcycle

In a feat of engineering and endurance, a solar-powered electric motorcycle designed and built in Africa has completed a 6,000-km trip from Kenya to South Africa.

The e-motorcycle and its support team departed from Nairobi on 29 September 2024, timing their arrival in Stellenbosch on 16 October to coincide with Transport Month in South Africa.

The route went through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. On the second-last day, the team covered 1,000km in one day to reach the southern tip of Africa.

This ambitious expedition by Stellenbosch University (SU) and Kenyan electric mobility company Roam marks a milestone in showcasing the potential of sustainable transport solutions for the continent, and underscores the growing importance of research hubs like the SU Electric Mobility Lab, the university said in a media release.

In a further development in the field, also confirming a growing focus on sustainable transport, Nelson Mandela University, through its uYilo eMobility Programme, hosted an E-mobility Summit that ended on 31 October.

Other partners included the South African departments of transport; mineral resources and energy; as well as trade, industry and competition; the South African National Energy Development Institute, or SANEDI, and the Technology Innovation Agency.

Electric vehicle experts, industry leaders and specialists participated in the summit in a region in South Africa where vehicle manufacturing is a key industry. Electric vehicles from Tesla, Volvo and Volkswagen were on display.

Innovative approach

On the motorcycle front, the Roam Air was specifically designed for African conditions. It was ridden by SU PhD candidate Stephan Lacock and Roam electric micromobility product owner Masa Kituyi.

They were accompanied by two support vehicles, one of which was equipped with a battery bank and solar panels, which acted as a mobile charging station for the motorcycle’s swappable batteries. Only solar power was used to recharge the motorcycle’s batteries on this journey.

This innovative approach eliminated the need for traditional charging infrastructure, demonstrating the viability of renewable energy in even the most remote locations, the university said.

“This journey was not just about reaching a destination,” Professor Thinus Booysen, founder of the Electric Mobility Lab in SU’s department of industrial engineering, said.


Professor Thinus Booysen, Image provided

“It was about proving that we can create sustainable solutions for Africa’s unique challenges. The Roam Air performed admirably, highlighting the robustness of its design and the efficacy of this solar charging solution.”

Overcoming challenges

The expedition wasn’t without its challenges and the team decided not to ride the second motorcycle meant to make the journey, but to take it along in one of the support vehicles in case spare parts would be needed.

Heavy rains in Malawi, rough roads, and lengthy stops at border crossings which added costly delays during precious daylight hours also tested the team’s resolve.

“We faced some technical hiccups with the solar connectors which were not made for daily disconnecting and reconnecting,” Booysen said, “but these were overcome through collaborative problem-solving.”

Stunning landscapes and wildlife

Beyond the technological achievements, the journey offered a unique perspective on Africa’s stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife.

“We encountered elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, buffalo, lions, sables, baboons, monkeys and crocodiles,” Booysen recounted.

“It reinforced the importance of preserving these environments for future generations, and demonstrated how clean energy can play a role in their protection.”

On day 11 of the trip, the team set two new records for the project, covering a distance of 100km on one fully-charged battery, and reaching a top speed of 115km/h on the Roam Air.


The team with the Roam Air e-motorbike at Cape Agulhas, the southern most tip of Africa, 200 km from Stellenbosch. From left are Dr Jason Samuels, Ryno Lacock, SU PhD candidate Stephan Lacock, Roam’s Masa Kituyi, Henro Lacock, and cameraman Lewis Seymore, Image provided

Made ‘in Africa, for Africa’

The successful completion of this epic journey has generated considerable excitement within the electric mobility sector.

“This is an historic moment for Roam,” Kituyi said.

“It proves that we can build world-class electric vehicles in Africa, for Africa. The enthusiasm we encountered from local communities along the way was truly inspiring.

“We saw the spark of excitement in people’s eyes when they realised this motorcycle was built in Africa. Our collaboration highlighted the resilience of both our teams and technology, proving that clean energy can power, not just vehicles, but a brighter, more sustainable future for the continent.”

SU Electric Mobility Lab

Roam has donated the two e-motorcycles that made the trip to the SU Electric Mobility Lab, where they will be used for further research and development. The lab, launched earlier in October with the help of South Africa’s Western Cape provincial government, will continue to drive innovation in the field of electric mobility, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Africa.

The expedition builds upon Booysen’s extensive research in the field of sustainable energy and electric mobility. His work has focused on the challenges and opportunities associated with the transition to clean energy in Africa, particularly within the transport sector.

Beyond motorcycles, his research has explored various electric vehicle applications, including the conversion of minibus taxis to electric power and the development of a retrofitted 65-seater electric bus for Cape Town in South Africa’s Golden Arrow Bus Services.

These projects demonstrate a commitment to finding practical, scalable solutions for electrifying public transport in South Africa and beyond.

Booysen has also been instrumental in developing innovative solutions for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, grid integration and the optimisation of electric vehicle performance in diverse African environments.

The SU Electric Mobility Lab, established under Booysen’s leadership, is dedicated to advancing electric mobility solutions tailored to the unique needs in the African context.

The lab conducts cutting-edge research in areas such as energy dynamics, mobility simulations, operational efficiency, vehicle-to-grid applications, and converting existing petrol or diesel vehicles to electric vehicles.

This multidisciplinary approach aims to deal with the complex challenges and opportunities associated with the electrification of transport in Africa, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for the continent.

‘Real-world’ applications

The lab’s focus on ‘real-world’ applications is evident in this ambitious trans-continental journey. By pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology and showcasing its potential in challenging conditions, the SU Electric Mobility Lab is playing a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of sustainable transport solutions across Africa.

According to Booysen, the expedition also highlighted the vast potential that electric mobility, powered by renewable energy, must transform livelihoods across Africa.

“Clean energy solutions not only contribute to environmental sustainability but can also provide significant economic and social benefits.

“By reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering transportation costs, solar-powered electric mobility has the potential to enhance quality of life in rural and urban communities alike,” he said.

“This was clearly demonstrated by the keen interest repeatedly shown in the Roam Air by numerous people along our journey who immediately saw the life-changing potential of the motorbike.”

He added that the journey demonstrates the feasibility and promise of clean, renewable energy in the transportation sector and beyond.

“We look forward to further initiatives that will continue to explore and expand the potential of sustainable mobility across the African continent,” Booysen said.

Leap forward

One of the sponsors of the project was the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), through funding received via LEAP-RE, the Long-term Joint Europe-Africa Partnership on Renewable Energy.

This collaborative initiative between the European Union and the African Union is aimed at accelerating the uptake of renewable energy technologies and strengthening research and innovation collaboration between the two continents.

‘African ingenuity at its best’

“This project is not only testimony to the sheer determination of the research team, but it also showcases African ingenuity at its best,” Professor Sibusiso Moyo, SU’s deputy vice-chancellor for research, innovation and postgraduate studies, said.

The university said that the pioneering journey was more than just a technological showcase.

“It’s a powerful symbol of Africa’s commitment to a cleaner, greener future, where innovation and sustainability go hand-in-hand.”

This article was updated on 1 November.