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Indian electric commercial vehicle manufacturer EKA Mobility has officially entered the African market by launching its first electric bus fleet in Zanzibar. The inaugural fleet of 15 electric buses was flagged off by Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, with commercial operations set to commence on August 1.
The deployment is part of a broader zero-emission public transport initiative aimed at accelerating sustainable mobility across the island. EKA Mobility said that 35 electric buses have already been ordered, and the fleet is expected to grow to 150 buses by the end of 2026. The project is also expected to generate local employment and strengthen technical capabilities in the region.
As part of the initiative, EKA Mobility has partnered with Global Rapid Transport (GRT) to provide training for local personnel in vehicle operations, maintenance, software systems, and safety. Zanzibar Social Security Fund (ZSSF), along with GRT, is supporting capacity building and ensuring operational readiness for the electric bus programme.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Government of Zanzibar, Bishwajit Dey, High Commissioner of India to Tanzania, representatives from ZSSF and GRT, and senior executives of EKA Mobility.
The 12-metre electric buses are built on EKA Mobility indigenous electric vehicle platform and are designed for urban public transportation. The company said the deployment is part of its global expansion strategy, with Africa identified as a key export market.
Commenting on the launch, Vijay Yelne, President – Export Marketing & SCM, EKA Mobility, said, "The launch of Zanzibar's first electric bus fleet demonstrates that products designed and manufactured in India can successfully meet the evolving mobility needs of international markets. We see Africa as a key growth market in EKA's global expansion journey."
