As cities get busier and the need for faster business increases, there is a growing demand for quick, convenient city mobility. In urban areas where time is of the essence for instance, people require a reliable and efficient mode of transportation that can easily navigate through traffic congestion and cover short distances in the shortest time possible.
Towards this, Motorcycle manufacturer, Kibo Africa, has introduced a new solution aimed at reducing commute times for city dwellers. This is a great step forward as commuters now have an additional avenue with which to create flexible and personalized movement experiences, to plan their routes and to travel on their own schedules. Ultimately this flexibility is what every business and individual needs.
The solution in question is the K160E- Evolution, a 160cc single cylinder engine engineered for power, comfort, and fuel efficiency. The K160E motorbike is assembled in Kenya with an understanding of Kenya’s roads and terrain and has a lower ride height for better stability on tarmac roads. It is also environmentally friendly, a big plus in these days when every company and individual have a duty towards protecting the earth.
At present, Kibo Africa which came to be in 2017 has the ability to produce 10,000 bikes per year, but the company aims to increase this capacity to 50,000 bikes annually within the next three years. This translates not only to better urban mobility, but also job creation. So far Kibo has 82 Kenyans in direct employment, with an aim of increasing that number to 400 by the end of 2025.
Moreover, Kibo Africa has effectively transferred technology to enable the local manufacture of 38 components of its bike in Kenya. The company also aims to achieve a target of 30% localization of components within the same timeframe. This is achievable through partnerships with other local manufacturers.
Speaking at the launch event, Kibo Africa CEO, Huib van de Grijspaarde, noted the value of motorcycling in improving mobility for urban residents.
“We took the K160E as an opportunity to better help young Kenyans do more by saving a lot of time on their commutes and expressing their spirit of adventure through how they move. Our mobility solutions are designed to fit into our customers’ lifestyles while maintaining affordability and allowing them to remain environmentally conscious.”
Kibo Africa CEO, Huib van de Grijspaarde
In his keynote address, delivered by Deputy Director for Industries Gideon Oele, PS, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry Dr Juma Mukhwana expressed the government’s satisfaction with the milestones made by Kibo Africa in the localisation of motorcycle production in the country.
“This is a significant step towards improving the capacity and quality of local engineering teams and will contribute to the growth of the manufacturing industry in Kenya. Besides, Kibo’s vision to unlock opportunities by providing access to safe and reliable mobility for all people, by challenging the market with an entrepreneurial spirit that delivers trusted quality is commendable,” said Dr Mukhwana.