Roam has launched a digital platform that connects electric vehicles to a centralized monitoring system designed for fleet operators across Africa.
The system, called Roam Explorer, tracks battery health, vehicle performance, location and usage in real time. It connects electric motorcycles, tuk-tuks, buses and cars to a digital platform accessible through mobile devices.
Founded in 2017 and rebranded earlier this year, Roam builds electric vehicles designed and manufactured locally for African markets.
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The company raised $7.5 million in equity and grant funding in 2021 and recently secured an additional $24 million to expand production of electric motorcycles and buses.
Roam Explorer operates on 2G, 3G and 4G networks. This allows vehicles to remain connected in areas where internet infrastructure is limited.
Operators can monitor vehicle data through a smartphone interface, while key functions can also be accessed through SMS.
The system tracks battery range, temperature and performance. Roam said the platform uses artificial intelligence to analyze vehicle data and predict maintenance needs.
By identifying potential issues earlier, the system aims to reduce breakdowns and improve reliability for fleet operators.
The company said the platform may also support vehicle financing by providing lenders with real-time data on financed assets.
Fleet operators can monitor multiple vehicles through a single dashboard, while riders receive performance insights.
Roam Explorer was developed in Kenya in collaboration with Swedish technology partners.
Key Takeaways
Electric mobility is expanding across Africa as cities search for alternatives to fuel-powered transport. Motorcycles and small vehicles dominate urban mobility in many African markets, where they are widely used for ride-hailing, delivery services and informal transport. Electric motorcycles have emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments because they offer lower operating costs compared with gasoline models, but challenges remain around battery management, maintenance and financing. Connected vehicle platforms such as Roam Explorer address these constraints by collecting real-time data on battery health and vehicle performance, improving reliability and enabling predictive maintenance. For lenders and fleet operators, this visibility into asset usage reduces financing risk and supports asset-based lending models common in the mobility sector. At the same time, digital monitoring systems allow operators to optimize fleet performance, manage maintenance schedules more efficiently and scale operations. As electric mobility expands across African markets, connected vehicle systems are becoming a critical layer in building reliable, financeable and data-driven transport ecosystems.
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