Lusaka, Zambia. The “Made in Uganda Grand Trans-Africa Electric Expedition” has officially touched down in Lusaka, Zambia, marking a defining milestone in a historic 13,000-kilometer journey from the Pearl of Africa to the Cape.
Led by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) in partnership with the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (Office of the President), Britam Insurance Uganda, and MTN Uganda, the expedition continues to demonstrate the power of collaboration in driving Africa’s green and digital transformation.
Having covered 3,017 kilometers representing 23.21% of the total return journey. The Expedition is actively stress-testing the Kampala–Cape Town Green Belt, a transnational economic corridor designed to integrate sustainable mobility, renewable energy, and seamless digital solutions.
At the heart of this mission is MTN Uganda, the official Digital Partner, powering the corridor’s connectivity, telematics intelligence, and cross-border digital transactions. Using MTN’s 4G/LTE network, the team monitors real-time battery health, suspension load, vehicle behavior, and terrain performance. MTN Mobile Money (MoMo) continues to eliminate cross-border trade friction, enabling swift digital payments across currencies—a prototype for a unified African payment system.
Speaking about the project, Paul Luyima, the MTN Uganda EBU Senior Manager, Large Enterprises said that: “MTN is proud to power the digital backbone of this historic Expedition. What we are witnessing is more than a journey across borders; it is a demonstration of how connectivity, innovation, and African engineering can unlock new economic possibilities for our continent. As the team charts the Kampala–Cape Town Green Belt, MTN is committed to enabling every step with reliable networks, seamless Mobile Money interoperability, and the technology needed to drive sustainable progress.”
Elias Bwamble, the project lead from Kiira motors noted that: “The Kayoola E–Coach’s performance on this Trans-Africa Expedition is proof that African innovation has come of age. We are not just showcasing a vehicle; we are showcasing a vision for a greener, smarter, and more self-sustaining Africa. With the support of partners like MTN, whose digital systems are critical to this mission, we are gathering the data and experience that will shape the next era of mobility and industrialisation on our continent.”
While in Lusaka, the Expedition team paid a courtesy visit to the MTN Zambia headquarters, where both teams reaffirmed the role of digital infrastructure in advancing green mobility and regional integration. MTN Zambia pledged continued support as the Expedition progresses southwards and on its return.
On the return leg of the journey, the Expedition team will have in-depth engagements with the Government of Zambia for comprehensive bilateral discussions on e-mobility, green financing, and digital trade, this time with MTN Zambia as a strategic partner in shaping the country’s participation in the Kampala–Cape Town Green Belt.
The expedition’s flagship vehicle, the Kayoola E-Coach 13M (Model 2025) continues to exceed performance expectations. Traversing diverse terrains across Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia, the coach has recorded zero safety incidents and zero maintenance spend. As of November 28, 2025, the bus has maintained an efficient consumption rate of 0.84 kWh/km, delivering savings of USD 850, replacing 1,146.46 litres of fossil fuel, and avoiding 1,399.56 kg of CO₂ in just nine days of electric-powered travel.
Behind these achievements is a resilient 49-person crew drawn from KMC, MIU, STI-OP, Britam, MTN, Swangz Avenue, and Buzz events. Despite 16-hour days on the road and challenging welfare conditions, the team continues to clean, prep, and charge the coach each night to ensure peak performance, a commitment to powering the mission with exceptional discipline.
As the Kayoola E-Coach advances toward Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa, it carries with it the aspirations of a continent on the verge of a Green Digital Revolution. Every kilometre reaffirms Africa’s readiness to lead, and MTN’s commitment to enabling that leadership through connectivity, innovation, and unstoppable progress.
