Indian electric motorbike manufacturer Spiro is set to enter the Cameroonian market, with the goal of promoting electric mobility and supporting local industrial development. This move aligns with Cameroon’s goal of developing a local automotive industry, as outlined in the 2025 finance law, which exempts electric vehicles from a 12.5% excise tax. Additionally, new electric motorbikes, batteries, and charging stations will benefit from a 50% reduction on their taxable value for a 24-month period.
Spiro’s plan involves deploying 100 electric motorbikes in Douala in July 2025, followed by the setup of a network of battery swap stations, with one station every 3 kilometers. This will help alleviate concerns about battery range and reduce operating costs. According to Spiro’s General Manager for West Africa and Cameroon, Rahul Gaur, users will be able to cover 100 kilometers for just CFA1,500, making it a more affordable option than fuel-powered bikes.
In the second phase of the project, Spiro plans to build a motorbike assembly plant in Cameroon, which will help meet user demand and ensure a smooth rollout of services. The project is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, including employment opportunities at the assembly plant, maintenance centers, and battery swap stations. Local engineers and technicians will be hired to encourage technology transfer.
Spiro’s expansion into Cameroon is part of a broader strategy, backed by a CFA29.1 billion loan from Afreximbank. The funding will support the development of an automated battery swap network and the rollout of new electric bike models, aimed at making clean mobility more affordable and practical. The company already has a presence in several African countries, including Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, and reports over 3 million electric bikes in operation across the continent.
The entry of Spiro into the Cameroonian market is not the only development in the electric mobility space in the country. Local startup Bee is also planning to invest CFA610 million to introduce Tembo electric motorbikes. Overall, Spiro’s entry into Cameroon is expected to promote electric mobility, support local industrial development, and create jobs, aligning with the country’s goals for the automotive industry.