Written by: Nasi Hako
African sustainable mobility startup eWAKA has received strategic support from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Start-up Fund of the Swiss Confederation through a 500,000 Swiss Franc ($542,879.50) loan.
The loan will support eWAKA’s 2023 plans to accelerate a growth strategy focused on providing innovative and sustainable mobility technology in Africa through the local production and promotion of eWAKA’s signature electronic bike known as the Shujaa.
Given the transportation sector is the second highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the urban logistics sector in Africa and across the globe urgently needs to adopt new technologies and business models to fight climate change, which disproportionately affects African countries.
The effects are being felt in major economic value chains including Africa’s largest sector, agriculture. By adopting more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly vehicles into transportation fleets, the logistics sector can play a crucial role in helping Africa tackle climate challenges while providing significant economic benefits to a number of critical industry sector value chains.
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Meeting Africa’s mobility needs through climate-friendly solutions
The growth strategy built on several pilot projects, including a Shujaa market introduction, will enable eWAKA to expand to other parts of Kenya and East Africa in 2023. A key element of eWAKA’s growth plans is to secure additional financing options for independent delivery drivers.
Commenting on eWAKA’s 2023 growth strategy, Celeste Vogel, Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer & General Counsel of eWAKA said: “As understanding localised constraints and variables are key to successfully deploying micro-mobility models and solutions, eWAKA conducted several pilot projects with target customer segments.”
Susanne Grossmann, the manager of SECO Start-up Fund commented: “We welcome the contribution to local production in the e-vehicle space and we hope that eWAKA will set a successful example for efficient, climate-friendly traffic systems in African cities that meet the mobility needs of the continent.”
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About mobility start-up eWAKA’s smarter solutions
eWAKA Shujaa is designed specifically for deliveries. The bike has a front rack that can hold 15kg and a back rack that can take 50kg, with a total load capacity of 65kg. It comes standard with one battery and can be fitted with a second optional battery for a total range of up to 120km. The Shujaa is easy to start using, less expensive to access (no need for a driver’s license and easy to manipulate) and maintain while offering comparable utility.
The start-up’s kickscooters are built for sharing and are made of robust materials. On offer is product training, after-sales services for customers and smart mobility software to drive efficiency, insights and uptime of the vehicles. With eWAKA’s fleet management platform, live data is collected for fleet owners to improve remote management, vehicle tracking, service history and other safety controls.
eWAKA motorcycles are built for city and rural commutes as well as last-mile delivery. The vehicle, its battery-swapping ecosystem as well the retrofit kits for converting internal combustion engine motorcycles, are well-tested.
Mobility startup secures investment for smart fleet in Africa
Written by: Nasi Hako
African sustainable mobility startup eWAKA has received strategic support from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Start-up Fund of the Swiss Confederation through a 500,000 Swiss Franc ($542,879.50) loan.
The loan will support eWAKA’s 2023 plans to accelerate a growth strategy focused on providing innovative and sustainable mobility technology in Africa through the local production and promotion of eWAKA’s signature electronic bike known as the Shujaa.
Given the transportation sector is the second highest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, the urban logistics sector in Africa and across the globe urgently needs to adopt new technologies and business models to fight climate change, which disproportionately affects African countries.
The effects are being felt in major economic value chains including Africa’s largest sector, agriculture. By adopting more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly vehicles into transportation fleets, the logistics sector can play a crucial role in helping Africa tackle climate challenges while providing significant economic benefits to a number of critical industry sector value chains.
Have you read?
Renewables and EVs improve carbon intensity of global energy supply
MoU to support electric vehicle battery value chain in DRC & Zambia
Meeting Africa’s mobility needs through climate-friendly solutions
The growth strategy built on several pilot projects, including a Shujaa market introduction, will enable eWAKA to expand to other parts of Kenya and East Africa in 2023. A key element of eWAKA’s growth plans is to secure additional financing options for independent delivery drivers.
Commenting on eWAKA’s 2023 growth strategy, Celeste Vogel, Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer & General Counsel of eWAKA said: “As understanding localised constraints and variables are key to successfully deploying micro-mobility models and solutions, eWAKA conducted several pilot projects with target customer segments.”
Susanne Grossmann, the manager of SECO Start-up Fund commented: “We welcome the contribution to local production in the e-vehicle space and we hope that eWAKA will set a successful example for efficient, climate-friendly traffic systems in African cities that meet the mobility needs of the continent.”
Of interest to you
Electric vehicles for a cleaner future
How smarter mobility solutions can match the needs of populations
About mobility start-up eWAKA’s smarter solutions
eWAKA Shujaa is designed specifically for deliveries. The bike has a front rack that can hold 15kg and a back rack that can take 50kg, with a total load capacity of 65kg. It comes standard with one battery and can be fitted with a second optional battery for a total range of up to 120km. The Shujaa is easy to start using, less expensive to access (no need for a driver’s license and easy to manipulate) and maintain while offering comparable utility.
The start-up’s kickscooters are built for sharing and are made of robust materials. On offer is product training, after-sales services for customers and smart mobility software to drive efficiency, insights and uptime of the vehicles. With eWAKA’s fleet management platform, live data is collected for fleet owners to improve remote management, vehicle tracking, service history and other safety controls.
eWAKA motorcycles are built for city and rural commutes as well as last-mile delivery. The vehicle, its battery-swapping ecosystem as well the retrofit kits for converting internal combustion engine motorcycles, are well-tested.