Zeno, one of the fastest growing electric bike startups in Kenya has just raised USD 25 M in a Series A funding announced March 04, 2026. The company raised its seed funding in 2024 (USD 9.5 M), just two years after its founding, and launched its first product, the Zeno Emara, in May 2025 targeting India and East Africa.
The key factor driving its fast growth is focus on affordability by building bikes that cost between USD 1000 – USD 1,500, firmly bringing the competition to ICE motorbikes that fall within the same price range.
The approach differs hugely with other players in the industry whose customers mainly depend on credit facilities or daily leases instead of buying to own because of the steep price of new EVs.
Zeno is also keen on developing interoperable multi-modal charging for two- and three-wheel vehicles at their swap stations as well as plug-in public and home charging options, offering high flexibility for users (who can also buy the battery separately).
The company co-founded by a former Tesla employee, Michael Spencer, will use the new equity and debt funding to scale their widely distributed battery infrastructure in Kenya, as well as Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. This is the second biggest fund raise after Spiro’s recent USD 50 M.
Accelerating Electric Motorbike Expansion in East Africa
The funding which is structured as a mix of Series A equity and debt was led by climate-focused venture firm Congruent Ventures, with participation from investors including Active Impact and Lowercarbon. Debt financing was also provided by Trifecta Capital and Camber Road. The fresh capital will allow Zeno to increase production of its flagship Emara electric motorcycle and scale the battery and charging network that supports it.
Zeno currently operates in four cities across East Africa and has already deployed more than 150 charging points for electric two-wheelers. The company says it has built more than 800 units of its Emara motorbike and serves nearly 1,000 active customers across the region.
With the new funding, the startup plans to ramp up manufacturing and significantly increase the number of electric bikes on the road, targeting commercial riders such as boda boda operators and delivery fleets.
A different kind of electric motorcycle
What sets Zeno apart from many competitors is its “sport utility electric motorcycle” design philosophy. Unlike smaller electric scooters built primarily for short city rides, the Zeno Emara is engineered for demanding commercial use and rough road conditions common in many African markets.
The bike has a top speed of about 95–100 km/h and can carry loads exceeding 250 kilograms, making it suitable for passenger transport and heavy delivery tasks.
Another distinguishing feature is Zeno’s multi-modal charging system, which combines several ways of powering the bike. Riders can swap batteries at designated stations, charge them at home, or use public charging points depending on convenience.
This flexible system is designed to address one of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle adoption in Africa: limited charging infrastructure. Instead of relying only on battery swap stations, Zeno allows riders to charge batteries almost anywhere electricity is available.
The Emara also uses removable lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, which can be carried indoors for charging or used as portable power sources in homes or businesses.
Lower costs for riders
Zeno says its electric motorcycles can cut daily operating costs by up to 50 percent compared with petrol bikes, mainly because riders no longer need to buy fuel.
The company is also experimenting with flexible ownership models in which riders buy the motorcycle but pay a subscription to access batteries or swapping services, reducing the upfront purchase cost.
The funding places Zeno among a growing group of startups racing to electrify Africa’s massive motorcycle market, which numbers in the tens of millions.
