Kenyan E-Mobility Startup ARC Ride Secures $5M IFC Commitment for Expansion

Kenyan e-mobility startup ARC Ride is preparing for a major expansion. The Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) company has secured a $5 million commitment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s private investment arm.

Founded by Joseph Hurst-Croft in 2019, ARC Ride is addressing the biggest barrier to electric motorbike adoption: the cost of the battery. Instead of buying a battery, riders swap depleted batteries for fully charged ones at ARC Ride stations.

Located in Africa’s Silicon Savannah, Nairobi, ARC Ride plans to use this investment to expand across the country into the neighboring county of Nakuru. The startup aims to scale its battery-swapping network and strengthen partnerships with local electric mobility operators.

Nairobi’s Pollution Problem

Driving around Nairobi, the widespread use of motorbikes (locally known as boda bodas) is impossible to miss. Boda bodas serve numerous functions: people carriers, ferrying goods for e-commerce platforms, and providing courier services. While shuttles or buses can sit for hours in grid-locked traffic, boda bodas weave in between lanes and travel throughout the city without delays. 

It is estimated that Nairobi has over 1.5 million registered motorbikes, which contributes to a major source of noise and air pollution. According to the Clean Air Fund, approximately 40% of air pollution in Nairobi is attributed to the transport sector. Considering that air pollution is a major source of respiratory diseases and premature deaths across the continent, the electric-vehicle revolution is not just innovative, but in fact, urgent. 

Transitioning Kenya’s entire motorbike fleet to electric would come with significant infrastructure challenges. Research suggests it could increase the country’s daily energy demand by up to 6.85 GWh, with peak grid loads potentially reaching 2.40 GW. Home charging concentrates energy use in the evening, placing greater strain on the grid. However, battery swapping distributes grid demand more evenly throughout the day. 

Seema Dhanani, East African coverage director at prior investors, British International Investment (BII), speaks to how boda bodas are central to daily life in Nairobi.

“In Kenya, a boda boda is more than just a motorbike; it’s a crucial part of the transportation system, helping millions of people to commute. That is why electrifying boda bodas is essential for creating a green and sustainable future for the country,” she said.

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ARC Ride 

ARC Ride has a clear mission: to provide “Affordable, Reliable, and Clean e-mobility solutions for rapidly developing African cities.”

ARC Ride’s flagship electric bike, the Bidii Boda, is designed to compete with a 150cc gas-powered motorcycle. It reaches a top speed of 55 mph, carries a payload of 550 lbs., and offers a range of 53 miles per charge. The bike sells for 199,000 Kenyan shillings (around $1,540), with installment payment options available through local financial providers. It is powered by a lightweight 29 lb. battery that can be swapped at any Arc Ride station.

The automated swap stations are strategically located at petrol stations, small shops, and warehouses, allowing riders to exchange batteries quickly without long delays. With 183 stations across the city, riders can swap the battery for just 185 Kenyan shillings (roughly $1.40). Through the ARC Ride app, users can easily find the nearest swapping station with a fully charged battery.

The BaaS model means riders are protected from fuel price changes. They also don’t need to worry about battery degradation over time, since Arc Ride covers maintenance and replacement costs. For boda boda riders whose livelihoods depend on keeping their bikes on the road, this is more than a tech upgrade; it’s a more stable and sustainable way to work.

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Investors Take Notice

Arc Ride’s growth has attracted a series of high-profile backers. Earlier in 2025, BII committed $5 million in debt financing to the company. Mirova International followed in September 2025 with a $10 million, five-year agreement to fund new swapping stations and battery purchases. Now, the IFC’s $5 million commitment indicates increasing institutional confidence in Arc Ride’s model. 

“This investment validates our mission to make clean transport accessible and affordable across Africa. With IFC’s support, we’re ready to scale our impact,” said Hurst-Croft.

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As cities face pollution, congestion, and rising fuel costs, the demand for clean, affordable alternatives continues to grow. Arc Ride’s expansion has significant implications for the millions of boda boda drivers who keep Nairobi moving. If the model expands as planned, it could lead to cleaner air and lower operating costs, improving the daily lives of some of the city’s most essential workers.

With a Series A funding round approaching, Arc Ride is preparing to extend its clean transportation model beyond Kenya and across the continent.