In her quest for cheaper, more convenient, safer transport in Ghana, entrepreneur Valerie Labi has developed an electronic bike that she says can be charged as easily as a mobile phone.
She told BBC Focus on Africa:
Quote Message: It’s a morph between a motorcycle and a bicycle, but it’s electric so you don’t need petrol to ride it. It allows you to carry a load… You can charge them like you would your mobile phone. You go around 140km [87 miles] in range per day.”
It’s a morph between a motorcycle and a bicycle, but it’s electric so you don’t need petrol to ride it. It allows you to carry a load… You can charge them like you would your mobile phone. You go around 140km [87 miles] in range per day.”
Gig economy workers are her team’s main focus, as well as women vendors in northern Ghana and Togo.
Ms Labi says she had noticed a gap in the market for small vehicles that could deliver the growing number of online orders, but which don’t pollute the air with petrol fumes.
Wahu Mobility’s e-bikes cost $2,000 (£1,650) upfront, or customers can pay $30 per week for 24 months after which point they own the vehicle.
“Whilst you pay the subscriptions, we give you delivery demand to make sure you earn enough [money] to take home for you and your family, and pay off the vehicle,” Ms Labi adds.
She says production will begin by the end of the year, at a rate of 200 bikes per month.
