Kibo Africa, a motorcycle manufacturer in Kenya, has recently launched a new motorbike named K160E-Evolution designed to provide comfort and power for city traffic while reducing commute time. The company aims to collaborate with local logistics firms that use motorbikes for their services, and it has shared its technology to enable the local production of 38 bike components, with a goal of achieving a 30% production rate. Kenya’s motorcycle industry is expanding due to the increasing demand for convenient transportation, and Kibo Africa is looking to capitalize on this trend by producing high-quality motorcycles that meet the needs of urban dwellers in the country.

The K160E-Evolution is a fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly motorbike that is equipped with a 160cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine. The bike has a load capacity of 200kg, making it suitable for transporting goods and other heavy items around the city. Additionally, it has a lower ride height that enhances stability on tarmac roads, making it easy to maneuver in crowded areas. The motorbike also features a hybrid backbone cradle frame, 5-speed constant mesh transmission, and telescopic front fork and twin coil-over shocks for front and rear suspensions, respectively.

Kibo Africa currently produces 10,000 bikes per year and aims to raise this to 50,000 within three years. The company has passed on the technology to make 38 bike parts in Kenya, with a goal of 30% local component production during that time. Kibo intends to collaborate with local manufacturers to make crucial components like mufflers and exhaust by Q1 2024.

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.”

The Kenyan motorcycle industry is expanding rapidly due to the increasing demand for convenient transportation, with the Motorcycle Assemblers Association of Kenya stating that local assembly produces 25,000 to 35,000 motorcycles every month. The number of newly registered motorbikes grew by 15.6% from 2020 to 2021. Kibo Africa is looking to capitalize on this trend by producing high-quality motorcycles that meet the needs of urban dwellers in the country. While Kibo’s bikes are not electric, Kenyans who want to purchase electric ones can access them from other motor-manufacturing firms operating locally.