Provide rural e-mobility solution to at least 18k low-income smallholder farmers and taxi drivers leading to enhanced income generation and improved quality of life. A 60 Decibels survey of the pilot phase showed that the majority of customers were accessing a service like the Hamba for the first time, 79% of customers reported quality of life improvements and 70% reported a significant increase in income.

SDG assessment

2.3 + 13 – Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale
food producers and avoid emissions.

Challenge: EV solutions in sub-Saharan Africa to date have focused on bikes and cars in urban areas and there is only one EV-player in Zimbabwe that operates in this space. The carbon gains of switching to EVs is greater in rural areas where there are longer distances to travel.

Channel: Demonstrate the first EV solution in Zimbabwe deliberately targeting rural and peri-rural communities.

Outcome: Scale up of the business within Zimbabwe and replication in other countries in SSA.

Physical: By providing a reliable transport service, this project will increase the resilience of rural agricultural communities to climate change impacts and reduce the potential risk of food shortages.

The pilot phase focused on women – trikes were used by female cooperative groups to take produce to markets and return with agricultural inputs. The 60 Decibels survey also captured an increase in the amount of productive time available for these female farmers supporting enhanced income generation. The trikes have been designed without a straddle bar to provide enhanced comfort for female drivers. 48% of MFA’s workforce are women, with an ambition to increase this over time. 67% of senior management are women and 60% of board members are women.

As part of the due diligence process, 14 HSES enhancement opportunities were identified which are now reflected in the Project Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP). TA grants were used to strengthen the driver training curriculum, provide HSES training for staff drivers and to support technical studies into battery design for extended life and repurposing.