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In the dynamic landscape of Africa, technological advancements and environmental consciousness are driving significant changes. Here's a roundup of recent developments in the realm of electric vehicles (EVs) and satellite internet services.
South Africa is set to lead the way in Africa's EV revolution, with Megamillion, in partnership with a Chinese firm, developing the continent's first lithium-ion gigafactory. This joint venture aims to power electric vehicles (EVs) across the continent.
Megamillion is also collaborating with Dash Dynamic to roll out wireless charging infrastructure for local EV charging stations. This partnership is a step towards making EV adoption more accessible and convenient for African consumers.
In the realm of satellite internet, Starlink, Elon Musk's space internet company, has resumed taking fresh sign-ups in Kenya after a seven-month hiatus, due to high demand. However, the cost of subscriptions in Nigeria has doubled, and Starlink has stopped taking new orders in parts of Lagos and Abuja due to maxed-out network capacity.
Starlink's operational presence in Kenya, through Paratus East Africa, a licensed ISP and authorised Starlink reseller, has been instrumental in expanding internet access across the country. New subscribers in these areas must join a waitlist and pay a deposit.
Rwanda has taken a proactive stance in supporting EV adoption by removing import duties on electric vehicles, while Kenya still lacks a comprehensive policy framework to support the efforts of electric mobility players.
In Kenya, BasiGo, a Nairobi-based electric mobility startup, plans to deploy 1,000 battery-powered electric buses on Kenyan roads over the next two years. BasiGo is also working on a leasing model to help buyers overcome cost and infrastructure barriers by providing operators with maintenance and charging services.
Meanwhile, Moove, another EV player, is facing protests from its drivers in Lagos over a 100% hike in their weekly payments for vehicles financed by Moove. The company's weekly remittances for drivers usually take four years to repay the loan.
BasiGo is also planning to expand into Nigerian and Tanzanian markets, while South Africa's power utility company, Eskom, has committed to providing public 55 charging stations over the next two years to support EV adoption. These charging stations will be piloted in public and private spaces like airports, shopping centres, and taxi stations in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
It's worth noting that road transport accounts for over 40% of Kenya's energy consumption and is a major emission source. The deployment of EVs and charging infrastructure, therefore, presents a significant opportunity for Kenya to reduce its carbon footprint.
Lastly, BasiGo's plans to expand into Nigerian and Tanzanian markets underscore the growing interest in EVs across Africa. As these initiatives continue to roll out, we can expect to see a more sustainable and digitally connected Africa in the near future.
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