On 4 December 2025, Uganda’s flagship electric bus, the Kira EV Kayoola, rolled into Johannesburg, South Africa’s gold city, marking a defining moment in Africa’s e-mobility journey. The arrival formed part of the Trans-Africa E-Mobility Expedition, dubbed “From the Pearl to the Cape,” a landmark initiative that showcased Ugandan innovation and high-quality agricultural products to the continent and beyond.

The expedition departed Kampala on November 20, 2025, and traversed Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa, with the journey scheduled to conclude in Cape Town on December 5–6, 2025. At the heart of the convoy was the 2025 Kayoola E-Coach, a symbol of Africa’s growing capacity to design and manufacture world-class electric vehicles. Along the route, major stops included Francistown, Gaborone, Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Mbabane, with policy dialogues and business-to-business engagements held in Gaborone on 29 November, Johannesburg on 2 December, and Cape Town on 6 December. The initiative was undertaken in close collaboration with host governments, private sector partners, and the African diaspora under the banner “Made in Africa for Africa.”

Led by Uganda’s High Commissioner, H.E. Paul Amoru, the expedition team comprised technical officials from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Kira Motors Corporation, and the Made in Uganda team. In Johannesburg, the delegation was warmly received at the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where private sector players, including prospective financiers, buyers, and insurers, were engaged on the evolution and innovative strength behind the Kira EV revolution. Officials from South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology and representatives from East African Community diplomatic missions also attended the session.

Later in the day, the team held a strategic meeting with executives at the MTN Innovation Centre in Randburg, where opportunities for collaboration in technology and innovation were explored. MTN welcomed the prospect of partnering with Uganda’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, as well as Kira Motors.

The day concluded at the University of Johannesburg’s Department of Electric Vehicle Innovation, where discussions focused on joint research, skills development, and the manufacturing of electric vehicles. The university pledged deeper collaboration and commended Uganda for the Kayoola EV’s role in elevating Africa’s profile within the global automotive industry.

The Trans-Africa E-Mobility Expedition signaled Uganda’s bold ambition to accelerate economic transformation through science, technology, and innovation. While the goal of exponentially growing the economy remained challenging, initiatives such as this demonstrated that, with strategic investment and regional collaboration, it was an achievable vision for Uganda and the continent.