Written by Kelly Were
In a landmark event for sustainable transport on the continent, the first-ever cross-border electric vehicle convoy is set to embark on a 1,600-kilometre journey from Nairobi to Addis Ababa this Sunday.
Dubbed “Road to Addis,” the six-day expedition is being spearheaded by the Munja Group in partnership with House of Procurement (HOP), marking a significant step towards establishing green transport corridors across Africa.
The initiative represents a bold practical demonstration of the potential for electric mobility to connect nations and redefine travel.
The project is a collaborative effort, led by Munja Group and supported by a consortium of key organisations including the Kenya Power and Lighting Company, the transport ministries of both Kenya and Ethiopia, the Cars Society of Africa, and Eazy Power PLC. In an official statement, Munja Group framed the journey as more than a simple road trip, but as a powerful statement of intent.
The company is positioning itself as a holistic solutions provider, offering not just electric vehicles but also EV leasing models and solar-powered charging infrastructure, aligning its mission with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“It’s a bold statement that Africa is ready to embrace sustainable mobility. Our vision is to inspire Africans to believe that clean, connected, and sustainable transport isn’t just possible—it’s already here,” the group said.
The convoy of branded electric vehicles will depart from Nairobi on October 5th in a colourful public flag-off ceremony. Over the following six days, the vehicles will travel through various towns and communities across Kenya and Ethiopia.
To prove the feasibility of such a long-distance journey, temporary charging stations will be established along the route, showcasing an integrated approach to EV infrastructure.
The expedition aims to engage directly with the public through community events, driver testimonials, and leadership interviews, highlighting the accessibility of its leasing model and exploring innovative financial tools like carbon credit generation to fund further sustainable projects.
The Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Power, Dr. Eng. Joseph Siror, strongly reaffirmed his company’s commitment to powering this clean transport transition. He noted that Kenya already has over 6,400 electric vehicles on its roads, a number that is steadily increasing.
Dr. Siror emphasised that for electric mobility to truly succeed, it must extend beyond national borders, requiring seamless cross-border movement.
“Kenya Power stands ready to support this transition by working with government, investors, and the public to position Kenya as a continental leader in e-mobility,” he stated, adding that the company is proud to be part of the expedition and is already actively powering charging infrastructure within Kenya.
The historic journey is scheduled to conclude in the Ethiopian capital on October 10th. This timing is strategically significant, as it precedes the Africa E-Mobility Week, hosted by the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the UN Environment Programme from October 14th to 16th.
The “Road to Addis” campaign is therefore poised to directly influence high-level discussions on the future of travel, trade, and regional connectivity.
By undertaking this pioneering trip, the consortium aims to spark a continent-wide conversation, firmly positioning Africa at the forefront of the global e-mobility revolution and proving that a cleaner, greener future for transport is within immediate reach.
