Articles tagged with "Africa"
Watu’s 2024 Sustainability Report Shows Growing Electric Motorcycle Financing Landscape In Africa - CleanTechnica
The article highlights the critical role of motorcycles in Africa's transport sector, particularly in East, Central, and West Africa, where approximately 30 million internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles serve millions daily in taxi and last-mile logistics roles. The widespread use of innovative asset financing, especially through microfinance institutions and asset fintech companies, has fueled the growth of the motorcycle taxi industry, with 80% to 90% of motorcycles in many countries being financed. This established financing ecosystem has paved the way for the emerging electric motorcycle market, which is gaining traction, exemplified by Kenya where 7% of motorcycles sold in 2024 were electric, with expectations for even higher adoption in 2025. Watu, a leading asset financing company celebrating its 10th anniversary, is a key player in this evolving landscape. Specializing in secured lending for smartphones and two- and three-wheeled vehicles, Watu operates in seven African countries and has financed over 600,000 vehicles, primarily ICE
energyelectric-motorcyclessustainable-transportationAfricaelectric-vehiclesasset-financingmicrofinanceEurope Pledges $600 Billion for Clean Energy Projects in Africa
The European Union has pledged $600 billion through its Global Gateway investment plan to support clean energy projects in Africa, aiming to address the continent’s critical energy deficit where nearly 600 million people lack electricity access. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that this clean energy transition would generate jobs, promote stability and growth, and help meet global climate goals. The initiative could create up to 38 million green jobs in Africa by 2030. Global Gateway, launched in 2021, focuses on infrastructure development worldwide but prioritizes Africa due to its vast deposits of critical minerals essential for technology and green energy, such as cobalt, lithium, copper, and manganese. The EU’s effort is partly a strategic response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which since 2013 has invested over $1.3 trillion globally in infrastructure, including significant energy investments in Africa. China’s involvement includes exporting large quantities of solar panels and securing influence through mining and infrastructure projects, positioning itself as a
energyclean-energyAfricaEuropean-UnionGlobal-Gatewaygreen-jobscritical-mineralsThe Birthplace Of The Boda Boda Is Electrifying Thanks To Pioneers Like Zembo - CleanTechnica
The article highlights Uganda's pivotal role in the origin and ongoing evolution of the boda boda motorcycle taxi industry, which began over 50 years ago with pioneers like Ali Mayende. Today, boda bodas are a vital mode of passenger and small goods transport across Africa, with nearly 30 million motorcycles operating continent-wide. Despite their prevalence, about 99% of these motorcycles still rely on internal combustion engines, presenting a significant opportunity for electrification. The shift toward electric motorcycles is primarily driven by local startups within the so-called “boda belt,” a region stretching from Tanzania to Senegal, where motorcycle taxis dominate commercial transport. A leading example of this transition is Uganda-based Zembo, a pioneer in Africa’s electric motorcycle sector. Zembo’s electric motorcycles have made substantial impacts, particularly in last-mile delivery services for companies like Glovo, where 40% of couriers now use electric bikes with plans to increase this share. Zembo’s fleet has contributed to significant carbon emission reductions—over 2,
energyelectric-vehicleselectric-motorcyclestransportationAfricaclean-energysustainable-mobilityAmpersand, Africa’s Electric Mobility Pioneer, Secures Major Investments To Scale Clean Transport in East Africa - CleanTechnica
Ampersand, a leading electric mobility company in East Africa, has secured significant investments to accelerate the adoption of electric motorcycles and related infrastructure across the region. The company’s ability to structure blended finance has attracted both equity and catalytic junior debt from investors such as BII, Seedstars Africa Ventures, Gaia Impact, and Raspberry Syndicate. This combined capital will enable Ampersand to expand its electric motorcycle fleet, battery swap network, and charging infrastructure, supporting thousands of motorcycle taxi drivers with cleaner, more affordable transportation options. The article highlights the broader context of electric mobility in Africa, particularly the rapid growth of the electric motorcycle market within the “boda belt,” a region stretching from Tanzania to Senegal where motorcycle taxis dominate public transport. Nearly 30 million motorcycles operate in this sector, with almost all currently powered by internal combustion engines, presenting a large opportunity for electrification. Electric motorcycles offer significant benefits, including reduced air pollution and approximately 45% annual savings on fuel and maintenance costs for drivers, which
electric-mobilityelectric-motorcyclesclean-transportAfricaenergy-transitionelectric-vehiclessustainable-transportationSolar, Swaps, & Startups: Africa’s Unique Path To Electric Transport - CleanTechnica
The article "Solar, Swaps, & Startups: Africa’s Unique Path To Electric Transport" highlights the distinct characteristics shaping the continent’s electric vehicle (EV) transition. Unlike regions with high car ownership, Africa has low vehicle ownership rates—averaging about 38 passenger cars per 1,000 people in 2015—with motorcycles, scooters, and informal public transport dominating mobility, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. Motorcycles serve as critical taxi and delivery services (e.g., boda-bodas in East Africa and okadas in West Africa), while three-wheeled tuk-tuks and minibuses form the backbone of urban public transport. This vehicle mix means Africa’s electrification pathway will differ significantly from car-centric markets, focusing more on smaller, versatile electric two- and three-wheelers. Electric vehicle adoption faces several challenges, including uneven urban-centric vehicle access, weak power infrastructure, and limited policy support in many countries. While nations like Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, and
energyelectric-vehiclesAfricasolar-powertransportation-electrificationbattery-storageoff-grid-energy7% Of All New Motorcycle Registrations In Kenya In 2024 Were Electric! - CleanTechnica
electric-vehicleselectric-motorcyclesAfricatransportationdecarbonizationclean-energyelectric-mobilityAfrobeats Superstar Davido & Spiro Collaborate to Launch New Range of Electric Motorcycles for Africa
electric-motorcycleselectric-mobilitybattery-swappingsustainable-transportationclean-energyAfricamotorcycle-taxiAmpersand Unveils Upgraded Electric Motorcycle Named “Alpha”
electric-motorcyclese-mobilityclean-energyelectric-vehiclessustainable-transportationcarbon-emissionsAfricaSpiro Launches In Cameroon & Tanzania
electric-vehicleselectric-motorcyclesbattery-swappingclean-energydecarbonisationurban-transportAfricaMore Good Electric 2- & 3-Wheeler News From East & West Africa
electric-vehiclesAfricaelectric-mobilitysustainable-transportationrenewable-energy2-wheelers3-wheelers