EKA Mobility has flagged off its first fleet of electric buses in Zanzibar, marking the Indian electric commercial vehicle manufacturer's entry into the island's public transport market. The inaugural fleet of 15 electric buses was flagged off by Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, with commercial operations scheduled to begin on August 1.
EKA Mobility : Fleet to Grow from 35 to 150 Buses Before 2026 Is Out
The deployment is part of a broader electric mobility programme under which 35 buses have already been ordered. EKA Mobility said the fleet is expected to expand to 150 electric buses by the end of 2026. The initiative aims to support the transition to zero-emission public transport while creating employment opportunities and building technical capabilities in the local market.
GRT and ZSSF Partnership Drives Local Training and Readiness
As part of the project, EKA Mobility is collaborating with Global Rapid Transport (GRT) to train local personnel in vehicle operations, maintenance, software systems and safety. The Zanzibar Social Security Fund (ZSSF), together with GRT, is also supporting capacity-building and operational readiness for the programme.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Government of Zanzibar, Bishwajit Dey, High Commissioner of India to Tanzania, representatives from ZSSF and GRT, and EKA Mobility executives.
12-Metre EV Platform Anchors EKA's Africa Export Push
The 12-metre electric buses are built on EKA Mobility's electric vehicle platform and are intended for urban public transport applications. The company said the deployment forms part of its broader international expansion strategy, with Africa identified as one of its target export markets.
"The launch of Zanzibar's first electric bus fleet demonstrates that products designed and manufactured in India can successfully meet the evolving mobility needs of international markets. We see Africa as a key growth market in EKA's global expansion journey," said Vijay Yelne, President – Export Marketing & SCM, EKA Mobility.