African electric vehicle (EV) platform Spiro has received further backing to expand electric transport across the continent after signing a partnership with Chinese electric two-wheeler manufacturer Yadea.
The partnership combines Yadea’s manufacturing and research and development capabilities with Spiro’s operational network and battery-swapping ecosystem across seven countries.
Together, the companies said they aim to build a scalable, commercially sustainable EV framework serving commercial fleet operators, delivery services, logistics providers and daily commuters in Africa’s fastest-growing mobility markets.
The development comes as countries across the continent seek to reduce dependence on imported fuel, reinforce energy and industrial sovereignty, and modernise urban transport systems.
Rising fuel costs, demand for affordable transportation and growing policy support for clean energy solutions are driving investment in scalable EV platforms capable of supporting Africa’s urban and industrial growth.
In June 2026, Spiro closed a $270 million funding round, including a final $55 million injection from Chinese growth-stage investor NewTrails Capital. This followed a $215 million equity round earlier that month backed by Impact Fund Denmark and Equitane.
The capital is earmarked for expanding Spiro’s industrial footprint and developing next-generation battery-swapping networks.
Under the Yadea agreement, the companies will also co-develop customised two-wheeler platforms engineered for local road conditions and commercial use across Africa.
In a statement, the companies said the partnership deepens the China-Africa connection, combining Yadea’s manufacturing scale with Spiro’s battery-swapping network and knowledge of African market dynamics to accelerate the continent’s transition to affordable electric transport.
Gagan Gupta, founder of Spiro and chairman of Equitane, said: “Our strategic partnership with Yadea is a major endorsement of our execution to date and opens fantastic opportunities to jointly pioneer the next era of electric mobility in emerging markets.”
Anant Badjatya, CEO of Spiro, added: “Africa’s shift to electric mobility is accelerating and this partnership helps us meet that demand at scale.
“By bringing together Yadea’s manufacturing strength with Spiro’s electric mobility ecosystem and operating experience across Africa, we are compressing the timeline to clean transport — helping thousands more riders switch to affordable EVs faster and multiplying our climate impact across the continent.”
Wang Jiazhong, senior vice-president of Yadea, commented: “Africa represents a massive frontier for zero-emission transport.
“Our mission to reduce carbon emissions has reached a powerful milestone through this partnership with Spiro.
"Together, we are combining global innovation with local infrastructure to deliver scalable and sustainable mobility solutions that serve millions of riders and transform Africa’s urban transit.”
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