How Orbit is building Nigeria’s EV future, one bike at a time

Nigeria’s journey into electric mobility has been slow, but a new wave of innovation is changing the narrative. For millions of Nigerians, especially those in Lagos’ vast logistics sector, the road to owning an electric vehicle once seemed blocked by cost, weak infrastructure, and poor access to finance. Now, one company is proving that solutions exist, and they may come on two wheels.

Orbit Electric Automobile Limited, a Lagos-based startup, is developing electric motorcycles and tricycles tailored to Nigeria’s specific realities. Its flagship CF-1 model is designed with affordability, durability, and everyday use in mind. Unlike the futuristic cars seen in Europe or America, the CF-1 is built for the delivery rider navigating congested Lagos streets or the small business owner looking to cut fuel costs.

“The key problem is affordability,” said Kenneth Ukpabia, Orbit’s CEO. “So we started by solving that through local assembly, flexible financing, and lowering running costs. We want people to see electric bikes not as a luxury, but as a smart, daily tool.”

Funding: Cutting interest rates and opening doors

Access to credit has been the biggest barrier for riders. Traditional banks charge interest rates above 25%, locking most low-income earners out of EV ownership. Orbit is solving this by partnering with microfinance banks, asset financing companies, and even the government’s Credit Corp scheme, which brings rates down to around 15%.

By building these partnerships, Orbit makes electric bikes accessible to riders who previously had no path to ownership. This creates a model for inclusive financing that could be scaled nationwide.

Infrastructure: Building trust in charging

Nigeria’s electricity supply is often seen as unreliable, but Orbit has built around this perception. Each CF-1 comes with a portable charger, allowing riders to power up at home, in shops, or even at friends’ houses. With batteries that cover 60 km each, riders with two batteries can travel up to 120 km daily—enough for most logistics jobs.

To further strengthen adoption, Orbit is setting up charging partnerships across Lagos, ensuring that battery swaps and quick charges are available in commercial hotspots. “We designed it so no rider feels stuck,” Ukpabia said. “Flexibility is the real infrastructure.”

Local production: Reducing imports, creating jobs

Nigeria’s government requires assemblers to use at least 30% local content. Orbit has gone further by sourcing tires locally and working with academics and engineers to begin local motor and battery development. The goal is to push local content to 50% within two years, cutting import costs while creating jobs.

“Why import what Nigeria can make?” Ukpabia asked in an interview. “If we produce more here, we reduce costs, create employment, and grow skills. This is how real industries are built.”

After-sales service: Training mechanics and ensuring parts

One common fear about EVs is maintenance. Orbit’s solution has been to train roadside mechanics in Lagos to service EVs through short courses. The company has also signed agreements with spare parts dealers, ensuring replacement components are always in supply. This approach builds confidence in EVs while strengthening existing local repair networks.

Market expansion: Scaling responsibly

Demand is already outstripping supply, with many shipments sold before they reach Orbit’s warehouse. While Lagos alone provides a massive market of 30 million people, Orbit plans to expand cautiously into other Nigerian states before moving into less saturated African markets such as Tanzania and Botswana.

“The challenge is not demand but supply,” Ukpabia said. “We already have more buyers than units. The question is: how fast can we scale responsibly?”

If Orbit’s solutions succeed, Nigeria’s electric mobility sector could see not only cleaner transport but also job creation, new supply chains, and affordable mobility for millions. Two wheels may indeed drive a greener future, powered not by talk, but by practical, local solutions.

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