On 12th February 2026, a delegation from JKUAT, led by Dr. Shohei Aoki, JICA Expert, and accompanied by JKUAT staff, Dr. Rehema Ndeda, Dr. Irene Muisyo, Dr. Meshack Hawi (Director, Directorate of Intellectual Property Management and University–Industry Liaison – DIPUIL), and Dr. Peter Oketch, recently conducted an industry visit to ROAM Electric. The visit formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen industry–academia linkages and align university research with real-world industrial applications, particularly in electric mobility.
The delegation was also joined by Ms. Edah Ikue, Program Officer from JICA Headquarters (Department of Technical and Higher Education), whose mission was to gain deeper insight into how research conducted at JKUAT interfaces with industry and contributes to innovation, sustainability, and socio-economic development.
Industry Exposure at ROAM Electric
During the visit, the team toured ROAM Electric’s warehouse and operational facilities, where they were given a comprehensive overview of the company’s work in designing, developing, and deploying electric mobility solutions. The delegation received detailed presentations on ROAM Electric’s electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, and EV charging infrastructure, highlighting the company’s growing role in advancing sustainable transportation in Kenya and the wider region.
The session was led by Mr. Hampton Macharia, a JKUAT alumnus from the department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), who provided an in-depth overview of ROAM Electric’s technological journey, engineering challenges, and innovation pipeline. His engagement underscored the value of JKUAT alumni in driving industrial innovation and strengthening academia–industry linkages.
Research, Innovation, and Collaboration Opportunities
Discussions focused on how academic research can support and accelerate innovation in electric mobility, particularly in battery technology, charging systems, power electronics, and system optimization. ROAM Electric shared insights into current industry challenges and emerging research needs, providing valuable direction for aligning university research agendas with practical industrial demands.
Further remarks from theROAM electric Engineer, Mr. Olivier Lobey, highlighted ROAM Electric’s growing industrial footprint. He noted that Roam Park is currently the largest dedicated electric vehicle production facility in Africa, with a capacity of approximately 50,000 units, and emphasized that ROAM Electric is the only electric vehicle company in Kenya holding a manufacturing licence. This positioning underscores the company’s strategic role in advancing local EV manufacturing and presents significant opportunities for strengthened research and innovation collaboration with JKUAT.
ROAM Electric maintains an existing research collaboration with Stellenbosch University, centered on testing and performance evaluation of electric motorcycles, battery systems, and solar-enabled charging approaches. This partnership demonstrates ROAM Electric’s commitment to working with research institutions and provides a useful benchmark for potential complementary collaboration with JKUAT.
Ongoing Research Engagement with JKUAT
The visit also highlighted ongoing collaboration between ROAM Electric and JKUAT faculty. In particular, Dr. Rehema Ndeda is supervising two students – one PhD and one Master’s – whose research leverages operational battery data. The study will initially focus on assessing the state of health (SoH) of the battery and subsequently investigate the feasibility of enhancing battery thermal management using phase change materials (PCMs). This engagement demonstrates the practical application of academic research to industry challenges.
During the discussions, Dr. Aoki noted that JKUAT is advancing research in Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) robotic welding, including the development of functional materials, fabrication of a versatile WAAM machine, and process optimization for high-quality products with enhanced mechanical properties. He observed that this capability could support ROAM Electric’s manufacturing needs. ROAM Electric welcomed the proposal and expressed interest in further technical discussions to explore potential collaboration.
JICA’s Perspective on Industry Linkages
Ms. Edah Ikue expressed a strong interest in understanding how such engagements translate into tangible research outcomes and capacity building. She emphasized the importance of sustained university–industry collaboration to ensure that research investments yield a measurable impact and scalable solutions.
Her participation reinforced JICA’s broader objective of supporting applied research, innovation, and technology transfer through the AFRICA-ai-JAPAN Project (JICA)
Invitation to ROAM Electric Tech Week
As part of the engagement, the JKUAT delegation was invited to participate in ROAM Electric Tech Week, scheduled for 28–29 April. The event will bring together industry partners, academic institutions, and researchers for knowledge sharing and collaboration. It will also provide a platform for partners working on related projects, including Stellenbosch University, to explore synergies and joint innovation opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The visit marked an important step in strengthening industry–academia collaboration between JKUAT and the electric mobility sector. Through direct engagement with industry practitioners, JKUAT researchers and students gain valuable exposure to real-world challenges and emerging technologies.
As JKUAT advances its applied research agenda under the AFRICA-ai-JAPAN Project (JICA), partnerships with industry leaders, such as ROAM Electric, will remain central to translating research into practical solutions. ROAM Electric also highlighted future priorities in energy efficiency and system intelligence, including optimization of battery charging patterns to allow higher current flows while maintaining safety and longevity. These areas present strong opportunities for collaborative research with JKUAT.
Article written by: Billy Oluoch