East African electric mobility and distributed energy services company, Zeno has raised US$25 million in fresh funding to accelerate the expansion of its electric vehicle infrastructure and operations across the region.
The investment marks a significant step for the young startup, which is working to transform urban mobility through electric two- and three-wheel vehicles supported by a flexible charging ecosystem.
Founded in 2022 by Michael Spencer, the company has built a rapidly growing charging network and is now positioning itself for deeper regional expansion.
According to the company, the new capital, structured as a mix of equity and debt, will support the scale-up of its charging infrastructure, boost production of its flagship electric motorcycle. The money will also be used to expand its presence across East African markets where demand for affordable and efficient mobility solutions continues to grow.
What Zeno Is and What It Does
At its core, Zeno is focused on building an integrated electric mobility ecosystem tailored to the realities of African cities. The startup provides electric vehicles and distributed energy services designed to support riders who rely on two- and three-wheel transport for commuting, deliveries, and commercial transport.
The company’s approach centers on what it describes as “interoperable, multi-modal charging” for electric vehicles, particularly motorcycles and tricycles. These vehicles dominate urban transport and logistics across much of Africa but face practical challenges when transitioning to electric power, especially around charging time and battery range.
To address these issues, Zeno has developed a hybrid charging infrastructure that combines several options. These include compact battery swap stations, public plug-in fast chargers, and home-charging systems. By offering these alternatives together, the company aims to give riders more flexibility than systems that rely solely on battery swapping.
As the company explains, this system is designed to improve the overall user experience in a market where “both range and downtime strongly shape adoption.”
The combination of multiple charging methods allows riders to recharge quickly on the go, swap batteries when necessary, or charge overnight at home, depending on their needs.
Zeno’s Journey and Early Traction
Although founded only in 2022, Zeno has already begun establishing a notable footprint across East Africa’s emerging electric mobility landscape. The company currently operates in four cities across the region, where it has built a growing infrastructure network designed to support the transition to electric two-wheel transport.
So far, Zeno has deployed a charging network spanning more than 150 chargepoint locations, creating the backbone of a distributed system that supports both individual riders and fleet operators. This infrastructure allows the company to serve delivery riders, ride-hailing operators, and logistics companies that depend heavily on motorcycles for daily operations.
The company’s progress has also been driven by demand for its electric motorcycle product, the Emara motorcycle, which is designed specifically for commercial use in African markets. According to the company, the bike has attracted significant attention from both individual buyers and fleet operators.
The level of interest has already translated into strong market traction. Zeno reports that demand has exceeded supply, with a waiting list of more than 25,000 retail and fleet customers eager to acquire the Emara motorcycle as electric mobility adoption gains momentum.
How Zeno Plans to Use the New Funding
The newly secured US$25 million funding round is expected to play a crucial role in enabling the company’s next phase of growth. The round was led by climate-focused investor Congruent Ventures, with participation from more than a dozen new and existing investors.
The financing package includes both equity investment and debt financing. Alongside venture capital backing, Zeno also secured debt facilities from Trifecta Capital and Camber Road, providing the company with additional financial resources to expand operations.
The funding will primarily support three key areas of development. First, Zeno plans to accelerate the build-out of its charging infrastructure, expanding the network beyond its current footprint of more than 150 locations. Increasing the availability of charging points will be essential to support wider adoption of electric motorcycles across East Africa.
Second, the company intends to scale up production of the Emara motorcycle, responding to strong demand from both retail riders and commercial fleet operators. The company notes that increased manufacturing capacity will help address the growing customer backlog.
Additionally, the capital will support geographic expansion and product development, allowing Zeno to move into new markets and broaden its mobility and energy offerings. As the company grows its user base, it also plans to expand its ecosystem by adding more riders and energy subscribers to its network.
Why Zeno’s Expansion Matters for Africa’s Mobility Transition
Zeno’s latest funding round highlights the growing momentum behind electric mobility across Africa, particularly in the two- and three-wheel vehicle segment.
Motorcycles are a critical component of urban transportation in many African cities, powering delivery services, ride-hailing platforms, and informal transport networks. However, these vehicles have traditionally relied on petrol engines, contributing to rising fuel costs and urban emissions.
Electric alternatives offer a potential solution, but adoption has often been slowed by concerns over battery range, charging infrastructure, and operational downtime.
By combining battery swapping, fast public charging, and home-charging options into a single ecosystem, Zeno is attempting to overcome these barriers and make electric mobility more practical for everyday riders.
The company’s rapid growth also reflects broader investor confidence in climate-focused technologies that can deliver both environmental and economic benefits. With demand for electric motorcycles rising across East Africa, infrastructure-driven platforms like Zeno could play a critical role in shaping the region’s mobility future.
As Zeno expands its network, scales production, and enters new markets, the company’s progress will likely serve as an important indicator of how quickly electric mobility can take hold in Africa’s fast-growing urban economies.
Talking Points
The US$25 million funding secured by Zeno represents a strong vote of confidence in the rapidly evolving electric mobility ecosystem in Africa, particularly within the two- and three-wheeler segment that dominates urban transport across the continent.
By adopting a hybrid charging model that integrates battery swapping, public fast charging, and home charging, the company is attempting to address one of the most persistent barriers to electric vehicle adoption,range anxiety and operational downtime.
This approach differentiates Zeno from many mobility startups that rely solely on swap-based infrastructure, and it could provide a more flexible solution for both individual riders and commercial fleets.
However, the company’s ambitious expansion plans will depend heavily on its ability to scale infrastructure quickly while maintaining affordability for riders, many of whom operate in cost-sensitive markets. Meeting the reported waitlist demand for its Emara motorcycle will also require strong manufacturing and supply chain execution.
If successfully implemented, Zeno’s strategy could position it as a key player in East Africa’s clean mobility transition, demonstrating how integrated energy and mobility platforms can accelerate the shift away from petrol-powered motorcycles while supporting more sustainable urban transport systems.
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