Roam Shines in Clean Tech Spotlight as Kenya Lands Seven spots in FT Africa Top 100

Roam, the Nairobi-based electric mobility manufacturer, has been named Kenya’s fastest-growing company and among Africa’s top 40 in the 2025 Financial Times and Statista ranking of Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies.

The firm placed 35th overall on the continent — the highest among 11 Kenyan businesses on the list — and emerged as the leading electric mobility manufacturer featured.

Compiled by the Financial Times and data firm Statista, the ranking assessed over 130 companies across Africa based on their compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and absolute revenue growth between 2020 and 2023.

Roam posted an 86.4% CAGR and 547.8% revenue growth, solidifying its position at the forefront of Africa’s clean technology movement.

Founded in 2017, Roam designs and manufactures electric motorcycles and buses tailored for African markets. In recent years, the company has launched Roam Hubs—charging and battery rental stations—in Nairobi, Kiambu, and Machakos counties; partnered with ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt to make electric motorcycles more accessible for boda boda riders; and collaborated with Italy’s Energica to advance local EV engineering.

Roam also completed a record-setting 6,000-kilometre electric journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch in 2024, positioning Africa as a rising hub of innovation.

Roam’s appearance on the FT list places it ahead of prominent Kenyan firms, including M-KOPA, a digital asset financing platform and key Roam partner, and Quickmart Supermarket, which collaborates with Roam on charging infrastructure expansion.

“This recognition is not just a milestone for Roam—it’s a moment of pride for Kenya. It shows that local manufacturing can thrive, creating jobs and delivering affordable, high-quality electric motorcycles made in Kenya, for Africa. We’re building an industry, and with this momentum, we’re expanding our footprint to reach more riders and communities across the continent,” said Habib Lukaya, Roam’s Field Operations Manager.

Others featured include Victory Farms, TPS Serena Hotels, KCB Group, and Co-operative Bank. This year’s ranking reflects a shift toward more diversified economic growth in Kenya. While fintech and traditional sectors remain strong, Roam’s hardware-first, impact-focused business model highlights the continent’s growing capacity in advanced manufacturing and climate tech. Kenya ranked third overall in company representation, behind South Africa and Nigeria.

Roam’s success also comes amid a global contraction in venture capital funding and rising macroeconomic headwinds. Its steady growth bucks the trend that has challenged high-profile African startups like Jumia and Gro Intelligence in recent years, reinforcing investor confidence in Kenya’s clean energy and industrial potential.