Airtel Partner’s with SPIRO to remove fumes from the last-mile telecom distribution

Airtel has today partnered with SPIRO, Africa’s leading electric mobility Solution provider, to adopt electric motorcycles into its  distribution network, a move aimed at improving productivity, lowering operating  costs for Franchise Partners and removing fumes from the last-mile delivery of Airtel products and services across Uganda.

The partnership gives interested Airtel Franchise Partners an opportunity to own brand-new ‘Spiro electric motorcycles through an affordable, interest-free repayment model facilitated by Airtel, through monthly instalment commission deductions, over a period of 24 months.

The initiative kicks off with the flag off, of the first 268 Spiro motorcycles, from the over 1,000 orders from Airtel Uganda. This programme will eventually be rolled out toall Airtel Franchise Partners across the country in phases.

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited, Japhet Aritho, said the partnership reflects Airtel’s continued commitment to responsible business partnerships that reduce emissions in our environment.

“As Airtel continues to grow, so does our responsibility to ensure that our products and services reach customers faster, more efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner. Our Franchise Partners are the backbone of our distribution network, and today we are investing in them. By making electric motorcycles more accessible, we are helping our partners become more productive, reduce their operating costs, and together protecting our planet.”

Franchise Partners play a critical role in Airtel’s distribution ecosystem by delivering SIM cards, distributing Airtel Money float and ensuring customers across Uganda can conveniently access Airtel products and services.

Through this partnership, they will benefit from lower operating costs, GPS-enabled motorcycles, reliable after-sales support, and SPIRO’s expanding battery swap network, allowing them to spend more time serving customers and growing their businesses.

The Country Director Spiro Uganda, Brenden Kachenje noted that electric mobility is emerging as a powerful tool in the corporate agenda, and commended Airtel for the bold move to adopt and incorporate electric vehicles in their daily operations

” This partnership confirms Spiro’s commitment to champion a greener, cleaner environment and lead the country’s e-mobility agenda. To this, Spiro Uganda is committed to deploy 50,000 electric bikes by December 2026.”

The partnership also supports Airtel Uganda’s broader sustainability ambitions by promoting cleaner mobility solutions while improving business efficiency. By replacing fuel-powered motorcycles with electric alternatives, the initiative is expected to reduce operating expenses for Franchise Partners while contributing to lower carbon emissions.

The launch marks another milestone in Airtel Uganda’s ongoing efforts to modernizeits distribution network and empower the entrepreneurs who play a vital role in connecting millions of Ugandans to digital and financial services.

Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with a presence in 14 countries in Africa, primarily in East Africa and Central and West Africa.

Airtel Africa offers an integrated suite of telecommunications solutions to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services both nationally and internationally.

The Group aims to continue providing a simple and intuitive customer experience through streamlined customer journeys.

Spiro, the leading electric vehicle company, provides innovative, eco-friendly, and affordable electric transportation solutions across 7 countries in Africa.