North Africa Archives - Smarter Mobility Africa

30 March 2023

Egypt in race to produce its first electric vehicle ahead of COP28

ESI Africa Future Energy, News, North Africa, Smart Mobility cop28, Egypt, Electric Vehicles, green economy, smart mobility

#greeneconomy

#climatechange

#COP28

#electricvehicles

Written by: Yunus Kemp

Egypt is pushing to produce its first electric vehicle (EV) in time for it to be showcased at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the UAE in November-December.

The country’s Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI), which is driving the process, called for the “swift completion of preliminary procedures in time for the vehicle to be showcased.”

Egypt is looking to partner with the UAE, Jordan and Bahrain – the four countries held meetings at the Integrated Industrial Partnership in Cairo from 19 to 21 March, where they discussed the production of the first joint Arab electric vehicle.

At the meeting, the countries discussed localising the technology to produce the joint electric vehicle using local components and capabilities available in the four countries.

Egyptian state media reported that since its launch in Abu Dhabi in May 2022, the partnership between the four countries had seen the signing of multi-billion deals “to boost sustainable growth and explore opportunities for joint investments, especially in priority sectors.”

Have you read
World Bank backs Egypt’s climate change sustainable development goals

The production of its first-ever EV was also part of the government’s strategy to transition towards a green economy.

To this end, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT) regional university announced in February that it would launch the country’s first locally produced EV within six months.

The @AU_DARBE hosted the 2023 African Youth Post @COP27P meeting to strengthen African youths’ engagement in climate action,take stock of #COP27, & define priorities for #COP28 & the Africa Climate Action Summit scheduled for 2023.@Resilient_40 @cymgunep @UK_AfricanUnion @US_AU pic.twitter.com/4G4iM4ouBl
— AU Agriculture, RuralDev't BlueEconomy Environment (@AU_DARBE) March 30, 2023

March news! Upcoming regional climate weeks to build momentum for #COP28, wildlife return in #Brazil, a breakthrough in wireless charging for #electricvehicles, and old-growth forests working as effective carbon sinks. #ClimateNews #MarchNews #ClimateAction #Suatainability pic.twitter.com/FLw9rt44mo
— Fran Benedito (@FranClimate) March 30, 2023

The Dean of the Applied Research Department at AASTMT, Mohamed El-Ghamry, said the project would include two EVs designed in partnership with the private sector.

Have you read
Powering the establishment of green mobility ecosystems in Africa

Last year, the government announced several steps to help it produce EVs: 10 companies had qualified to tender to run EV car charging stations across Egypt; it had set up a national strategy for developing the automotive industry, including the EV manufacturing industry; approved a Bill to establish a council for vehicle manufacturing; and set up a fund to provide financing for an environment-friendly EV industry.

Egypt state media reported that UAE-based automotive manufacturer M Glory Holding announced a $550 million project to establish three integrated factories for EVs in Egypt, the UAE and Jordan.

COP28 President-Designate #DrSultanAlJaber sets the tone at the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial today on the road to #COP28 with a call to action in this critical decade for #ClimateAction. “Let's build on the foundation achieved at @COP27p and move from goals to getting it done.” pic.twitter.com/PP7eFuN2A3
— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) March 20, 2023

20 March 2023

Electric truck first step towards sustainable transport in Morocco

ESI Africa Business and markets, Energy Efficiency, News, Non classé, North Africa, Smart Mobility decarbonisation, electric trucks, electric vehicle, MENA, Morocco, smart mobility, Smarter Mobility Africa, sustainability, Transport, zero-emissions

#electrictrucks

#volvo

#zeroemission

#electricvehicles

“Volvo is the first global brand with heavy electric trucks in commercial operation in Africa”

Martin Nilsson Managing Director, Volvo Trucks Morocco

Written by: Theresa Smith

Rabat, Morocco has taken delivery of Volvo’s first heavy electric truck in Africa.

The truck is a Volvo FE Electric, one of six all-electric Volvo truck models, already in serial production. The series-produced, zero-exhaust emission truck will be used for collecting waste by the company Arma in Rabat. By replacing the existing diesel truck with an electric truck on a typical route, approximately 30 tons of CO2 could be saved every year.

Martin Nilsson, Volvo Trucks Morocco Managing Director called it a proud moment to take the first step towards a more sustainable, electric transport system in Morocco, and Africa.

“This clearly shows that zero-emissions trucks have a role to play in many parts of the world. Volvo is the first global brand with heavy electric trucks in commercial operation in Africa. We have the broadest electric truck line up in the industry, which makes it possible to electrify a large part of heavy transports already today,” said Nilsson.

Check this out! #Morocco to receive Volvo's first Heavy Electric Truck in Africa for the purpose of sustainably collecting refuse in the capital city of Rabat. #Maroc #Arma #Waste #Collection #Sustainability #Volvo #Trucks #NetZero #Climate #Energy #Africa https://t.co/lLyR1KJBLQ
— Monroe 4PEACE (@JMonroe_4PEACE) March 20, 2023

“Volvo is the first global brand with HEV in commercial operation in Africa. We have the broadest electric truck line up in the industry, which makes it possible to electrify a large part of heavy transports already today,” says Martin Nilsson, MD at Volvo Trucks Morocco #africa pic.twitter.com/erjjYrcxEh
— Prateek Pardeshi (@Prateek2101) March 16, 2023

Have you read?
Foreign company eyes Moroccan manganese mine for batteries in EVs
AfDB funding to expand green mobility across Africa

ARMA Group CEO Youssef Ahizoune said they are proud to be the first company in the waste management sector in Morocco and Africa to choose to invest in sustainable, smart mobility.

“By taking a step towards the electrification of our truck fleet, Arma is reducing its carbon footprint, showing one more time our commitment to the environment. Our intentions are clear: we will continue investing in innovations that help reduce emissions and benefit the environment while supporting our customers in meeting their own sustainability goals,” said Ahizoune.

Morocco has ambitious climate goals, based on large investments in renewable energy. It is one of six markets that will account for 85% of the MENA region’s renewable energy capacity growth between 2022 and 2027, principally driven by competitive IPP auctions.

The country is a leader in solar power and home to the world’s biggest concentrated solar power facility, Noor Quarzazate, located 200 km southeast of Marrakech.

13 January 2023

BP explores green hydrogen potential in Egypt

Anazi Zote Future Energy, Hydrogen, News, North Africa, Renewable energy, Research and Development BP, Egypt, green energy, green hydrogen, renewable energy

Nomvuyo Tena

The government of Egypt has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will facilitate the exploration of green hydrogen exploration in Egypt.

BP signed an MoU with the Government of Egypt, under which it will explore the potential for establishing a new green hydrogen production facility in the country.

The MoU was also by Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), the General Authority for Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) and the Sovereign Fund of Egypt for Investment and Development (TSFE).

Have you read?
Djibouti aims to be a green hydrogen hub
Egypt unlocks path for 220,000 tons of green hydrogen

Under the MoU, the oil and gas company will conduct several studies to evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of developing a multi-phase, large-scale green hydrogen (gH2) export hub in Egypt. It is intended that high-potential locations across Egypt will be considered as part of the feasibility study, targeting best-in-class resources.

Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath, BP’s executive vice president of gas and low-carbon energy, said: “BP is proud of our long history in Egypt and significant role in the country’s energy industry. Egypt has world-class renewable energy resources, and we look forward to working with the Government to explore how we can support its ambitious low-carbon strategy.”

Have you read?
New report says Egypt will fall short of renewable energy target
Green hydrogen export opportunities in Africa show endless promise

Ayman Soliman, TSFE’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Transitioning into a low carbon energy system is no longer an option but a necessity, as reaffirmed by the whole world during COP27. We are proud of this MoU with BP, demonstrating our role as a catalyst for that transition, providing investors with a wealth of renewable energy sources, an optimal location for exporting and an investor-friendly ecosystem. It builds on TSFE’s green hydrogen portfolio and complements our strategy and mandate to transform Egypt into a regional hub for green energy.”

Nader Zaki, BP’s Regional President for MENA, stated: “Expanding the remit of our business in Egypt is testament to BP’s long-term commitment to Egypt. This MoU builds upon Egypt’s endeavours to be a regional energy hub and we are glad to be able to be a strategic partner to support the country’s green energy transition plans.”

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