Africa looks inward for EV resources

• South Africa wants to become a hub for EV manufacturing and has been pushing for better policies and incentives to support local manufacturers and consumers. 

• One of its energy storage technology companies, Balancell, last month unveiled a new facility to scale up battery manufacturing capacity from 250 MWh to 1 GWh annually, targeting energy storage, electric mobility, and other applications.

• Our take: There is potential for the production of competitively priced batteries in Africa... Read more (2 min)

E-trucks hit African roads

• Bakers SA has tested three electric trucks and currently owns one. It plans to transition its fleet of over 1,000 trucks to electric in phases.

• Zimi has installed its first 120 kW DC charger and incorporated its own locally developed software platform to provide real-time insights into energy consumption, fuel savings, and carbon emissions.

• Our take: Demand for e-trucks is high in agriculture and last-mile delivery... Read more (2 min)

2024 overview of African EV funding

• The increase in funding this year across the continent demonstrates that the EV market in Africa is gaining traction — but slowly. Investors are primarily focused on equity funding rather than debt.

• East Africa has the most deals (20). Africa’s EV market seems to be leaning into the region and multiple investors have confidence in local companies. 

• Our take: Africa's e-mobility sector shows uneven development across regions, suggesting untapped opportunities in areas that could benefit from increased investment and infrastructure development...  Read more (2 min)

• Uber introduces courier services in SA: Uber has launched the “Courier Bakkie” service in South Africa, offering on-demand delivery of heavier items up to a ton. The service is integrated into the Uber app, allowing users to request larger utility vehicles for deliveries. Uber has partnered with fleet companies like SkyNet Worldwide Express to provide these services. Initially available to Johannesburg residents, the service will soon expand to Cape Town and Durban, providing additional earning opportunities for drivers and meeting the needs of small to medium-sized businesses for moving assets. (TechCentral)

• Creation of employment through EV adoption: Uganda’s boda boda industry is the country’s second-largest employer of young people after agriculture. E-motorcycle companies, Spiro and SafeBoda, are transforming livelihoods through the creation of green jobs. Their partnership is beyond just electric bikes—it’s about solving real-world problems, empowering riders, and creating a more sustainable, connected Uganda. Spiro, Africa’s largest e-bike comapany, has sold over 1,000 e-bikes in Uganda within just five months and established a battery swap network with 34+ stations across major regions. (LinkedIn)

• SA’s top EV charger apps: South Africa’s growing network of over 400 public EV charging stations is supported by several apps, allowing drivers to locate stations, plan trips, and manage payments. ChargePocket, Rubicon Charge, PlugShare, and Charge are the major apps, each offering unique features such as real-time status updates, payment integration, and station maps. (MyBroadBand)

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