1. Solar-powered charging stations could solve the unstable grid crisis

Africa’s transition to sustainable transportation faces a significant hurdle in eMobility transition due to the lack of access to electricity. 

• Nigeria's electricity grid suffered 46 collapses between 2017 and 2023, highlighting the country's struggle to maintain a stable power supply.

• South Africa's state-owned utility, Eskom, grapples with power generation challenges, leading to frequent load shedding and up to 11 hours of power outages per day in 2023.

These issues underscore the difficulty in establishing reliable infrastructure to support electric mobility initiatives. Despite Africa's potential to lead the green revolution with its abundant solar resources, 75% of the world's population without electricity resides on the continent. However, innovative companies are emerging, introducing battery swap stations and solar-powered EV chargers, aiming to overcome the electricity access barrier and drive the transition towards sustainable transportation.

Leading this charge are Africa’s private startups;

• Zero Carbon Charge is rolling out a network of off-grid, ultra-fast EV charging stations across the Free State province in South Africa. 

• Blu EV recently launched its fourth solar-powered swapping station in Egypt. 

• Spiro celebrated its first automated swap station in Kigali, Rwanda. 

• Swap Station Mobility Limited (SSM) is building solar-powered quick interchange battery stations in Nigeria.

• Qoray, which unveiled Nigeria’s first fully solar-powered EV battery swap station in Kano State.

Why it matters:

• The tech addresses the region's unstable power grid by providing reliable, renewable energy sources. 

• The widespread adoption of solar-powered charging stations can significantly reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. 

• They offer a cleaner, cheaper alternative for transportation. 

E-Bikes News

2. eBee and Spiro lead the charge in Uganda’s two-wheelers industry

Kampala Cycling Day, championed by eBee.africa, continues to grow, highlighting the push for safer and more accessible cycling infrastructure in Kampala. The latest event saw collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and participation from Deputy Ambassador Joost Van Ettro, alongside Kampala Capital City Authority officials. Cycling advocates gathered to promote green, healthy transportation solutions, reinforcing eBee’s mission for liveable cities. Concurrently, Spiro officially launched its operations in Uganda, introducing eco-friendly electric motorcycles aimed at revolutionizing local mobility and promoting sustainable transportation. Both initiatives mark significant strides towards cleaner, healthier urban living in Uganda.

Car News

3. Nigeria poised to become Africa’s sustainable mobility hub

President Bola Tinubu emphasized Nigeria's potential to lead Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) revolution by harnessing its abundant gas and lithium resources during the commissioning of NASENI's CNG Reverse Engineering Training Centre in Abuja. Although CNG cars are not EVs, they help in reducing carbon emissions. The facility has the capacity to convert 15 cars every two hours, translating into an output of 2,700 conversions every month. NASENI, in partnership with Portland and Kia, aims to convert every vehicle in Nigeria to CNG within a year using locally-sourced components, minimizing capital flight and creating jobs. The agency also plans to develop lithium batteries, positioning Nigeria as a future hub for the global EV market.

4. Africa’s taxi services shift towards E-Mobility

The taxi business in Africa is gradually shifting to e-mobility, with significant initiatives underway in Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria. In Kenya, MojaEv Ltd has introduced the NETA V electric vehicle, capable of traveling 380 kilometers on a full charge, targeting taxi drivers as part of the country's e-mobility push. Egypt launched its first electric taxi fleet in the New Administrative Capital, starting with 10 vehicles and plans to expand to 145, emphasizing commuter safety with surveillance and GPS systems. Nigeria's Possible EVS has debuted its EV Taxi service, aiming to combat the transport sector's carbon emissions by expanding from an initial fleet of 30 to 20,000 e-taxis by 2028. These efforts across the continent reflect a broader commitment to eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable transportation solutions.

5. Denmark’s embassy in South Africa aligns with the country’s eMobility roadmap

Denmark and South Africa are embarking on an exciting eMobility journey, as announced by the Embassy of Denmark in South Africa. Ambassador Elsebeth Søndergaard Krone unveiled the embassy's brand new fully electric Volvo EX30, marking a significant step towards sustainable transportation. This underscores Denmark's commitment to supporting South Africa in its transition towards cleaner and greener mobility solutions. With the introduction of electric vehicles, both nations are poised to contribute to reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability on a global scale.

Finance News

6. AFC infrastructure investment and Mogo’s sustainable mobility initiative

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has partnered with Alstom to boost the Kinshasa Rail Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with an initial investment of US$3 million targeting the development of a mass transit system covering over 300km of railroad. This collaboration signifies a significant step towards sustainable mobility in Africa. Also, Zembo Motorcycles, a leading player in Uganda's electric motorcycle market, has teamed up with MOGO Uganda to enhance access to e-bikes nationwide. Zembo's innovative rent-to-own plans, including a unique battery-as-a-service model, offer savings of up to 30% compared to fuel, with a down payment of $131 and weekly installments, contributing to sustainable transportation. These partnerships showcase a concerted effort towards promoting eco-friendly mobility solutions while addressing urban transportation challenges and improving community livelihoods.

7. Today’s Number

… is the depth below sea level of the proposed underwater rail link tunnel between Morocco and Spain. The 17-mile long tunnel will have two single-tracks.

8. Pictures of the Day 

Riders having a conversation in the streets of Accra.