Mobility

A consortium led by fleet management solutions provider GoMetro has launched South Africa’s first electric minibus taxi despite a high EV import tax. The price of the minibus will range from R1.1 million ($63,413) to R1.2 million ($69,178).

inDrive has extended its services to more major cities in Zimbabwe, intensifying competition with Bolt and Uber. Additionally, it has launched new courier services in Harare.

Uber, a ride-hailing company, has launched Uber Safari in South Africa, from Cape Town to the Aquila Private Game Reserve. The offering will be available from October 2024 to February 2025, running on Fridays and Saturdays at a flat fee of $200 (over R3,000).

Kofa Technologies, a Ghanaian cleantech startup, and PASH Global, an impact investor, have announced the expansion of Kofa’s battery-swapping network in Ghana amid interest in Togo and Kenya.

Zeno, a startup founded by Tesla alumnus Michael Spencer, has raised $9.5 million in an oversubscribed seed round and is set to compete with Ampersand and BasiGo to launch electric motorbikes in East Africa by 2025.

Nigeria’s vehicle manufacturer, Innoson, has unveiled its first locally produced electric vehicle in Nnewi, Anambra State, 10 months after it disclosed plans to establish an EV factory.

E-hailing platform Bolt has reportedly increased its base fares across all categories by up to 15%, citing ongoing fuel scarcity and growing operational challenges faced by drivers.

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Build Your Dreams (BYD) has expanded into Zambia, selling three models in the country: Dolphin, ATTO 3, and SEAL. The BYD Zambia showroom is scheduled to launch on September 5, 2024.

Boda boda riders in Kampala, Uganda, have threatened to protest against digital number plates, citing doubts about their usefulness and cost concerns.

Rwanda’s Ampersand secures an additional $2 million in equity, adding to last year’s $19 million, to expand its EV energy technology across Africa.

Bolt Kenya has announced a 10% increment to its base fares across all its ride categories, one week after Uber Kenya raised fares in response to drivers’ frustrations.

Uber Kenya has announced plans to increase fares across all ride categories in response to drivers’ demands for higher pay because of rising operational costs.

Kenya-based automaker Mobius Motors has agreed to a 100% acquisition offer from an undisclosed buyer, a week after announcing its closure. The deal is expected to be finalised within 30 days.

Uber, operating in 61 cities across seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa, reported $40 billion in gross bookings for Q2 2024. Revenue increased by 16%, with income from operations at $796 million.

Ride-hailing drivers in Nairobi, Kenya, are reportedly imposing their fare rates, usually set by the companies, and are refusing services to passengers who won’t pay.

Mobius Motors, a Kenyan based vehicle manufacturer and assembler, is winding down operations under the Insolvency Act after it failed to surmount its financial troubles.

Electric vehicle manufacturer Spiro has officially launched its electric vehicles in Ogun state, six months after the company announced plans to collaborate with the state government to set up swap stations for electric motorcycle batteries.

Uber South Africa has clarified that the three-year vehicle age policy only affects new drivers joining the platform. However, existing drivers are still pushing back against the high costs of vehicles.