Tech in Africa
Rwanda electric motorcycle startup just raised US$3.5 million from the Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF). The aim was to develop a fleet of electric motorbikes and battery exchange stations across the continent. This is an American investment fund financing companies involved in environmental sustainability.
The Kigali-based startup has been operating in Africa for 2 years where they assemble and finance electric motorbikes in the transportation of goods and people. Two and three-wheelers are highly popular in East Africa, with estimates setting their numbers at over 5 million. Ampersand carries out assembles and finances electric bikes used for transporting goods and people.
In an interview on Howwemadeitinafrica, Josh Whale, Ampersand’s CEO described how the pandemic hit the company really hard. He pointed out securing extra grant funding. The company has launched Africa’s first electric taxi motorcycle fleet accompanied by motorcycle charging stations.
Ampersand has the full support of Rwanda President Paul Kagame who announced that all motorbike taxis will go electric across the country in the near future. Motorbikes have today been adopted by most of the continent’s unemployed youth. In addition, the use of electric bikes has opened up remote areas of the continent.
