Kenyan electric motorcycle manufacturer Roam has won the Manufacturing Champions award at the 2026 Africa Sustainable Futures Awards after its Roam Air motorcycle was selected from more than 500 initiatives across Africa, recognising the country’s growing role in sustainable manufacturing.
The award, presented by the Financial Times and the World Bank Group’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), was handed over in London, with Roam Chief Financial Officer Rajal Upadhyaya receiving the trophy on behalf of the company.
The recognition comes weeks after Roam announced that 40 per cent of Roam Air’s manufacturing content by value is now sourced from East Africa, signalling progress towards building a regional supply chain for electric mobility and increasing local participation in manufacturing.
The motorcycle is designed for commercial use, with a dual-battery configuration offering a range of up to 160 kilometres and a payload capacity of up to 250 kilogrammes, making it suitable for riders who depend on motorcycles for daily business and transport.
Filip Lövström, Roam’s chief executive officer and co-founder, said the award recognised the company’s efforts to develop electric mobility solutions for African riders while building the manufacturing capacity needed to grow the industry across the region.
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“Winning the Manufacturing Champions award is a proud moment for our team and for Kenya’s electric mobility industry,” said Lövström.
“It recognises the work going into developing solutions for African riders and building the capabilities needed to grow this industry in the region. We are pleased to see that work recognised on an international stage.”
Roam said it would continue expanding its electric mobility offering alongside the manufacturing, charging and servicing infrastructure required to support wider adoption across the region.
The award highlights the potential for locally developed electric motorcycles to contribute to industrial growth while supporting the transition towards cleaner transport.
Increasing the share of components sourced within East Africa could also strengthen regional manufacturing links as demand for electric mobility solutions develops.
Another African innovator, Keep IT Cool, a Roam partner and fellow Earthshot Prize innovator, was also recognised at the awards, receiving a Highly Commended distinction in the Agribusiness category.
