Eswatini —Uganda’s Kiira Motors Corporation has reached yet another major milestone in its groundbreaking Africa Electric Expedition, as the 13-metre fully electric Kayoola E-Coach crossed into the Kingdom of Eswatini, marking the completion of its first South African leg and the latest phase of a journey showcasing Africa’s clean-mobility future.
The expedition—tagged #FromThePearlToTheCape—is a historic demonstration of Uganda’s electric-vehicle engineering, aimed at proving that homegrown innovation can travel thousands of kilometres across diverse terrains, borders, and climates.
5,000 km Conquered, 5 Borders Crossed
In its latest update, Kiira Motors confirmed that the Kayoola E-Coach has now covered over 5,000 kilometres and crossed five international borders, a feat the company says reinforces the viability and resilience of African-made electric mobility technologies.
“Our 13m Kayoola e-coach is officially in full Pan-African mode,” Kiira Motors posted. “From new roads to new cultures, this expedition is proving one thing… Uganda’s innovation can go the distance across the entire continent.”
South Africa Leg Completed — Next Stop: Eswatini
The team successfully completed its first South African segment, travelling 396 km from the Tlokweng Border through Pretoria and Johannesburg.
“From Tlokweng Border → Pretoria → Johannesburg, we clocked 396 km and connected with amazing stakeholders pushing Africa’s clean-mobility movement forward,” the company said. “Next stop: ESWATINI!”
Hours later, Kiira Motors confirmed arrival in the Kingdom of Eswatini with the message: “Charging into the Kingdom of Eswatini. The Africa Electric Expedition rolls on.”
Strategic Collaborations Along the Way
The expedition has also been a platform to forge partnerships with key players across the region. While in South Africa, the Kiira Motors delegation was hosted by MTN South Africa, where discussions focused on public–private partnerships, Industry 4.0 synergies, and strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystems across the continent.
“A big thank you to @MTNza for hosting our delegation, supporting connectivity, and driving discussions on strategic collaborations,” Kiira Motors noted.
Earlier, the team engaged media audiences through an appearance on Different Perspectives with journalist Paul Ndiho, discussing the purpose and vision of the expedition.
A Pan-African Road Test of Electric Innovation
The Africa Electric Expedition is not merely a symbolic drive—it’s a test of durability, charging infrastructure, EV range performance, and the readiness of African roads for large-scale electric mobility.
The route has already taken the Kayoola E-Coach through Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. One of the most dramatic stretches was the 944 km journey from Kazungula through Nata, Francistown, and Gaborone before exiting Botswana.
“Thank you BOTSWANA!!!” the team posted after crossing into South Africa from Tlokweng.
A Vision for Africa’s Clean Mobility Future
Kiira Motors’ mission is aligned with Africa’s broader ambitions of achieving cleaner transport, reducing emissions, and adopting locally driven industrialization. The successful cross-border journeys aim to strengthen investor confidence and encourage governments to accelerate infrastructure that supports electric mobility.
As the Kayoola E-Coach rolls deeper into Southern Africa, Kiira Motors says the message remains clear: Africa can build, export, and scale its own electric-vehicle technologies.
The expedition continues toward its final destination—Cape Town—demonstrating that the future of mobility in Africa is electric, sustainable, and proudly homegrown.
