Mobility for Africa

Mobility for Africa, registered as Locomotion Africa in Zimbabwe, is a social enterprise founded in 2019 by Shantha Bloemen and the late Felicity Tawengwa. Bloemen, with a background in international development and humanitarian aid across Africa and Asia, was inspired by her experiences living in rural Zambia, where she witnessed the immense burden women carried due to a lack of transport. This led to the creation of a business focused on addressing the critical gap in last-mile mobility for rural and peri-urban communities, particularly for women who perform a majority of agricultural work.

The company's core offering is a fleet of robust, custom-built electric tricycles, known locally as 'Hambas', which means "let's go". These vehicles are specifically engineered for rugged, off-road environments and can carry up to 400kg, traveling up to 100km on a single charge. The design intentionally avoids a straddle seat, making it more accessible for women. The business operates on a mobility-as-a-service model, providing a comprehensive solution that includes the vehicles, after-care services, repairs, maintenance, and driver training to overcome cultural barriers. Revenue is generated primarily through a lease-to-purchase model, with tricycles rented to groups of women or small businesses for approximately $15-$30 USD per month.

A key component of the business model is the energy infrastructure. The Hambas are powered by bespoke, swappable lithium-ion batteries. Instead of individual vehicle charging which can take hours, Mobility for Africa has established a network of solar-powered charging stations where depleted batteries can be quickly swapped for fully charged ones. This system ensures vehicles remain operational and is designed for areas with limited or no grid electricity. The company serves small-scale farmers, often women's cooperatives, who use the transport to carry produce to market, access supplies, and improve their access to healthcare and education. By December 2022, the company had raised $2 million in an early-stage venture round from investors including InfraCo Africa, which funded the expansion of its fleet and charging station network in Zimbabwe.

Keywords: electric tricycles, rural mobility, Africa, women empowerment, mobility-as-a-service, last-mile transport, solar-powered vehicles, battery swapping, Zimbabwe, small-scale farmers, agricultural logistics, green mobility, social enterprise, impact investing, lease-to-own, off-grid transport, clean energy, sustainable development, gender equality, rural development, e-mobility