Report on the Transition to Electric Motorcycles in Uganda and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the burgeoning transition to electric motorcycles, known as e-bodas, within Uganda’s transport sector. It highlights how this shift, driven by public-private partnerships, is making significant contributions towards several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis covers economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, gender equality, and infrastructural innovation, while also noting existing challenges to widespread adoption.

Advancements in Sustainable Development through E-Mobility

SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The adoption of e-bodas is directly contributing to poverty reduction and fostering economic growth by enhancing the livelihoods of riders. This is achieved through two primary mechanisms:

• Reduced Operational Costs: Riders report significant savings. For instance, an operational cost of UGX 8,000 allows for a travel distance of 80 kilometres on an e-boda, compared to UGX 10,000 for 70 kilometres on a petrol-powered motorcycle.
• Increased Income: The financial benefits have led to substantial increases in daily earnings. Reports from riders indicate a doubling or tripling of income, with daily earnings rising from approximately UGX 20,000 to between UGX 40,000 and UGX 70,000. This creates decent work and stimulates local economic activity.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The e-boda movement is actively promoting gender equality by creating new opportunities for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Initiatives by companies such as Spiro and local organizations like Green Hub are encouraging female ridership. This diversification is seen as a step towards creating safer road environments and empowering women economically and socially.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy & SDG 13: Climate Action

The transition to electric vehicles represents a significant step towards the adoption of clean energy and tangible climate action.

1. Reduction of Carbon Emissions: Each e-boda has the potential to save up to 1.8 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. A pilot project involving just 22 riders demonstrated a collective saving of approximately 10 tonnes of CO₂ emissions over a six-month period.
2. Clean Energy Infrastructure: The development of solar-powered charging stations along major transport corridors, such as the Kampala-Masaka route, supports the transition to renewable energy sources, directly aligning with SDG 7.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

E-bodas contribute to creating more sustainable urban environments, particularly in congested cities like Kampala.

• Noise Reduction: The silent operation of electric motors helps to decrease urban noise pollution.
• Improved Air Quality: The elimination of exhaust fumes improves local air quality, creating healthier communities.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure & SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The success of the e-boda transition is underpinned by strong partnerships and innovation in finance and infrastructure.

• Collaborative Framework: Partnerships between private sector innovators (MOGO Uganda, SafeBoda, GOGO Electric, Spiro, Zembo), government bodies (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation), and international development agencies (GIZ) are crucial drivers of this change.
• Financial Innovation: By May 2025, financing company MOGO Uganda had enabled the purchase of over 1,500 e-motorcycles through manageable loan schemes, making the technology accessible.
• Rapid Sector Growth: The number of EV bodas in Uganda grew from under 1,000 to over 4,000 in a single year, demonstrating the potential for rapid scaling with continued support.

Remaining Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite significant progress, barriers to mass adoption persist. E-bodas still constitute less than one percent of the estimated 150,000 motorcycles in Kampala. Key challenges include:

• High upfront vehicle costs.
• Limited government subsidies and incentives.
• Unequal access to charging infrastructure across all regions.

Sustained, long-term incentives and continued collaboration between all stakeholders are essential to overcome these hurdles and fully realize the potential of e-mobility to advance Uganda’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article highlights how switching to electric boda bodas has led to a significant increase in riders’ incomes, directly contributing to poverty reduction.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article discusses the entry of women into the traditionally male-dominated boda boda industry, promoted by specific initiatives, which addresses women’s economic empowerment.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The shift to electric motorcycles powered by solar-charging stations is a core theme, focusing on increasing the share of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article showcases how technological innovation in the transport sector is creating better-paying jobs and fostering economic development.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The development of charging infrastructure and the adoption of innovative electric vehicle technology are central to the transformation described.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article addresses the need for sustainable urban transport by reducing air and noise pollution in cities like Kampala.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – A key benefit highlighted is the reduction of CO₂ emissions from transport, which is a direct climate change mitigation effort.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article emphasizes that the progress is driven by collaborations between private companies, government bodies, and international agencies.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. The article provides examples of riders whose income “has tripled” or doubled from “UGX 20,000 a day” to “UGX 40,000 to 70,000,” directly impacting their poverty level.
2. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life. The article points to this target by describing how “the traditionally male-dominated industry is slowly also becoming more diverse” with companies “encouraging more women to take up riding.”
3. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. This is addressed through the installation of “Solar-powered charging stations” along major routes.
4. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The shift from petrol to electric boda bodas represents a significant technological upgrade for the transport sector in Uganda.
5. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. The article discusses the project to install charging stations along the Kampala-Masaka corridor but also notes that “unequal access to charging infrastructure” remains a barrier.
6. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The entire article focuses on the e-boda as a form of “sustainable transport” that offers “lower operating costs.”
7. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality. The article states that e-bodas have “no fumes” and do not “make noise,” directly addressing air and noise pollution in Kampala.
8. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The collaboration with the “Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation” indicates the integration of e-mobility, a climate mitigation measure, into national planning.
9. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article is a case study of this target, detailing partnerships between private companies (MOGO, SafeBoda, Spiro, Zembo), a government ministry, and an international agency (GIZ).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Income Growth: The article provides direct financial data that can serve as an indicator for poverty reduction (Target 1.2). For example, Bashir Mutumba’s income “has tripled,” and Taliiwo Isaac’s daily earnings increased from UGX 20,000 to between UGX 40,000 and UGX 70,000.
• Number of Women Riders: An implied indicator for gender equality (Target 5.5) is the “growing number of female riders,” which could be tracked to measure women’s participation in the sector.
• Number of Electric Vehicles: The growth in the number of e-bodas from “under 1000 to over 4000” in one year is a clear indicator of the adoption of clean technology (Targets 7.3, 9.4).
• CO₂ Emissions Reduction: The article provides specific, measurable data on climate action (Target 13.2). It states that “each e-boda saves up to 1.8 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually” and that 22 riders saved “around 10 tons of CO₂ emissions in about half a year.”
• Reduced Air and Noise Pollution: Qualitative indicators for sustainable cities (Target 11.6) are explicitly mentioned: the e-bodas have “no fumes” and do not “make noise,” contributing to a “quieter environment.”
• Number of Partnerships: The existence of collaborations between multiple stakeholders like MOGO, SafeBoda, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and GIZ serves as a qualitative indicator for Target 17.17.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dandc.eu