Mazi Mobility, a mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) startup led by Jesse Forrester, has introduced its premier electric motorcycle fleet in Nairobi, Kenya. The company is supported by global venture builder Satgana, which is dedicated to nurturing sustainable and impactful startups.
The company is utilizing electric motorcycles, referred to locally as ‘bodas’, to drive the shift toward more efficient, affordable, and eco-friendly transportation within Nairobi. Mazi has also launched battery-swapping stations that offer on-demand charging, cutting down transportation expenses by as much as 50%. The MK3 model features options for either a single or dual battery, allowing for travel ranges of up to 70km or 140km, respectively. The startup is working collaboratively with boda operators, educational institutions, and manufacturers to support the development of the electric mobility sector.
“We are not just an EV company at Mazi, we aim to advocate for a mass mobility transformation that is sustainable,” explains Jesse Forrester, Mazi’s Co-Founder and CEO.
He continued, “At Mazi, we believe that people in Africa should be able to move easily and affordably across cities without the burden of personal car ownership costs while lowering CO2 emissions. The boda industry presents an ideal sector for this change. Our goal is not just to replace traditional vehicles with electric ones, but to create an entirely new approach to urban mobility. At Mazi, we transport people, goods, and data. Twende Kazi na Mazi!”
Supporting Mazi’s mission is Satgana, a global venture builder committed to funding startups that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Satgana focuses on supporting entrepreneurs whose businesses are designed to address both social and environmental issues outlined in the SDGs. They provide hands-on support to startups with strategy development, technology integration, investor readiness, and impact management.
As a player in the electric mobility space, Mazi contributes to several of the SDGs, including SDG #8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG #11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG #13 (Climate Action).
In an interview, Konstantin Behr, Venture Builder at Satgana, shared what he looks for in potential founders:
“We evaluate how driven a founder is by their impact goals, which helps us determine if our partnership would be mutually beneficial. I am passionate about Africa’s startup ecosystem, which has seen tremendous growth over the last few years, attracting more foreign investors. Mazi Mobility marks our first venture in Africa.”
Unlike many venture builders who hire founders to execute business ideas, Satgana adopts a distinctive approach by working alongside purpose-driven entrepreneurs, using innovative and market-driven strategies to address pressing global social and environmental challenges. With Mazi, Satgana hopes to revolutionize Africa’s electric mobility landscape.
Romain Diaz, Founder and CEO of Satgana, emphasized the importance of Mazi’s launch, noting, “The urgent need for decarbonizing our economies places transportation at the heart of this transformation. Africa is poised for a shift toward electric mobility, and we’re thrilled to be part of Mazi’s journey. From day one, we have been inspired by Jesse’s vision and his ability to execute it. As a venture builder, we are proud to support Mazi in its mission to make urban transport sustainable while empowering drivers in lower-income communities.”
