10 insights from a conversation with SPIRO’s global CEO on building and scaling a pan-African brand

The Spiro Global CEO Kaushik Burman was in Kigali recently for a short working visit. In his role as a brand custodian, Kezio-Musoke David took the opportunity to sit down with him to better understand how SPIRO supports its regional markets while navigating the challenges of scaling a young brand from relative obscurity. Here are ten key insights from that conversation on how SPIRO is managing its growth across Africa.

1. Global recognition validates long-term brand building
   During the discussion, I aimed to understand how SPIRO secured a place on the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list, chosen from over 5,000 entries. The recognition indicates that the brand is on the correct path, even as it continues to develop and reinforce its foundations.
    
2. Affordability as a pathway to inclusion
   SPIRO positions itself deliberately in emerging markets, with affordability at the centre of its value proposition. The philosophy is simple: every dollar saved expands access and inclusion, particularly for Africa’s 1.5 billion people who depend on mobility for livelihoods.
    
3. Building trust through transparency and authenticity
   The brand is deliberately becoming more emotive, and despite the challenges of growth, transparency and recognising that trust is built over time are crucial. “Authentic engagement with customers and stakeholders (even in markets beyond Rwanda) is not just about running campaigns but about committing to a long-term process.
    
4. Growth shaped by feedback and dialogue
   SPIRO acknowledges that it is still a relatively young brand. As such, it actively uses stakeholder feedback, including from riders and partners, to refine products and operations. This approach has enabled the company to scale into six countries within three to five years, reaching deep into the last-mile infrastructure.
    
5. Significant African investment footprint
   SPIRO is expanding its presence across Africa through a significant long-term investment of approximately $300 million, primarily equity-backed, continent-wide. In Rwanda alone, investment is projected to reach up to $50 million by next year. The brand is here to stay.
    
6. Data-driven operations and responsibility
   The company leverages AI-enabled technology to track bike and battery performance, rider behaviour, and system efficiency. This intelligence supports engagement with dealers and regulators while reinforcing corporate social responsibility as a core operating principle.
    
7. Localisation and vertical integration as a philosophy
   SPIRO’s infrastructure ethos is grounded in localisation and significant capital investment in vertical integration, building products while simultaneously developing local communities. The guiding principle is clear: build in Africa, by Africans, for Africa.
    
8. Skills development through the SPIRO Academy
   The SPIRO Academy has been established to upskill local communities through training, resourcing, and grassroots integration. The company views this journey as a marathon, not a sprint, focused on deep local integration and empowering local talent.
    
9. Competition welcomed, not feared
   SPIRO embraces competition, recognising the vast scale of Africa’s mobility needs. Its aim is to establish a world-class energy storage and distribution company aligned with Africa’s rich natural resources and supportive government policies, including Rwanda’s leadership in green solutions.
    
10. A pioneering battery-swapping future
    SPIRO’s long-term vision is anchored in its pioneering battery-swapping model in Africa. The business is designed to disrupt carbon-based mobility through innovation, deploying AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and battery data analytics to drive performance, circular energy standards, and sustainable growth.

To reach out to the writer, email keziomusoke@inspire.co.rw I info@inspire.co.rw