Powering a Greener Future: ARC Ride’s Expansion with New Funding
Kenyan electric mobility startup ARC Ride has closed a significant US$33.3 million funding round, marking a major milestone in the continent’s transition towards sustainable transportation. The company operates on a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model that allows riders to quickly swap depleted batteries for fully charged ones—addressing range anxiety and lowering ownership costs for electric motorcycles.
The financing was led by Novastar Ventures and Norrsken22, with participation from IFC, British International Investment (BII), Proparco, Musashi Seimitsu, Talanton, Kinetic programme, and Mirova. This follows a US$10 million debt facility secured last September.
Strategic Expansion Across Key Markets
ARC Ride plans to use this capital to expand its operations across Sub-Saharan Africa—specifically targeting Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. The company will focus on:
- Developing battery-swapping infrastructure
- Expanding geographic reach
- Strengthening partnerships with local communities
- Introducing new electric vehicle models tailored to African riders
Addressing a Critical Gap in Electric Mobility
“This funding accelerates our mission to make electric mobility the default choice for riders across Africa,” said ARC Ride founder Jo Hurst Croft. “By solving infrastructure challenges and offering affordable solutions, we’re empowering drivers with cleaner, more cost-effective transport options.”
Steve Beck of Novastar Ventures noted that ARC Ride is addressing a key barrier to electric adoption—the lack of reliable battery infrastructure. Ngetha Waithaka from Norrsken22 added that the company’s BaaS model creates network effects and compelling unit economics, positioning it as a potential industry standard.
With this new investment, ARC Ride aims to become Africa’s leading provider of electric mobility solutions—helping build a more sustainable transportation ecosystem across the continent.