Tech in Africa
Africa has recently witnessed an increase in electric mobility investments. According to the Institute for Security Studies, as the continent with the world’s fastest-growing population, we are looking at growth from 1.2 billion today to 1.8 billion by 2035. We earlier reported that Ampersand, the e-mobility startup in Rwanda, led the country’s ride-hailing switch to clean energy. Kampala-based startup Zembo offers electric motorcycles to the local bodaboda riders. Stima Mobility in Kenya also leads the way for motor-taxi to go electric while also providing charging stations.
With the huge population bulge outpacing economic growth, more youth are moving to urban centers in search of employment. Rapid urbanization is creating a fossil fuel emissions problem that has resulted in a 75% increase in emissions across Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the Changing Transport Organisation report, emissions in the transport sector are up by 73% in Kenya, 153% in Ghana, and 16% in Nigeria.
Nairobi-based Mazi mobility has launched an Electric Vehicle mobility-as-a-service alternative to cater to the city’s highly fragmented public transport sector. Global venture builder Satgana is the principal backer behind Mazi Mobility’s flagship electric mobility fleet.
Mazi uses motorcycles referred to locally as bodabodas to lead the transition to clean yet affordable transport alternatives in the city. Today’s launch culminated in the unveiling of Magnus 3000 (M3K) which stands as an alternative to petrol-driven bodas. Mazi will also introduce battery swapping stations that should reduce costs associated with transportation by 50%. The MK3 model offers the rider a single or dual battery option offering 70km and 140km in range respectively.
In a statement, Jesse Forrester (CEO and Co-founder at Mazi Mobility), says, “we are advocates for a sustainable mass mobility change.” He further reiterates the startups’ mission to help people “move efficiently, and affordably across cities” while at the same time “reducing CO2 emissions.”
Satgana, the global venture builder behind Mazi, targets startups aligned with the UN SDGs. Romain Diaz, (founder and CEO) highlighted Mazi as their first portfolio venture, saying “As a Venture Builder, we are humbled to be able to support Mazi in its mission to make urban transportation sustainable while empowering low-income drivers.”
