TANZANIA is gaining a gradual momentum in its move to curb environmental pollution by other means as it has introduced the first electric motorbike to facilitate transport industry in the country.

The age of the electric vehicles is truly in place as various automobile industrial manufacturers in the world over, are busy embarking on regular innovations to yield new products to suit international markets.

It is from this point of advancements that electric motorbikes and vehicles have come a long way in recent years taking a high pace in transport industry, growing in popularity at a global level.

There are benefits to be attained out of this since electric motorbikes are zero emission means of transport that contribute significantly less to air pollution compared to fuel or gasoline-powered motorcycles. 

They are environmentally friendly than other vehicles as they run by help of electricity which is powered by lithium-ion batteries and they don’t produce any kind of harmful emissions. 

This makes them an ideal choice for environmentally conscious consumers seeking to minimize their carbon footprint. In addition more people are opting for these kinds of motorbikes for its cost effectiveness as compared to other means of transport.

Apart from savings, electric motorbikes are conducive to local environment and can help fight climate change and global warming if adopted on a large scale. This helps to conserve energy resources and reduces overall energy consumption. 

Wherever these kinds of electric motorbikes or vehicles are used, air quality within the surroundings improves as it provides people with health benefits, especially for those who suffer from respiratory problems. Clean air means an improved quality of life.

It is from this point of view that, the government though the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) has licensed foreign companies to introduce electric motorbikes to operate in the country as a way to control air pollution.

Electric vehicles are becoming the norm, which means there will be more charging points, better engines, and more of a second-hand market for the vehicles making them cheaper in general.

For years to come the increased technological innovations are likely to cause pros and cons as fuel powered vehicles will even start to be phased out of business because the benefits of electric motorcycles seem to continue increasing.

Two foreign companies operating in the country have pledged a strong commitment to help raise awareness and capacity building on services being provided by Vodacom Tanzania under Voda Boda means of transport. 

The companies are the Africapital Investments Holdings Ltd which is a Turkish firm, and S.A Connect a multinational company based in the United Arab Emirates known in short as TRI.

The two foreign companies have jointly introduced electric motorbikes the first of its kind in Tanzania that aims at empowering poor people to alleviate poverty in their daily lives. 

The Voda Boda initiative features electric motorbikes designed to provide an environmentally friendly, cashless and cost-effective alternative designed to adapt traditional transportation methods aimed at transforming urban transportation in Tanzania. 

Head of Digital Innovation and Care at Vodacom Tanzania Goodluck Moshi said recently in Dar es Salaam that, “the available electric motorbikes will be sold to the needy people and acquired on loan basis at a cheapest price rates”.

Outlining its benefits, he said, the motorbikes would contribute to zero carbon emissions and are eco-friendly, hence cities such as Dar es Salaam which is highly congested will experience reduced traffic congestion and enhanced urban mobility.

The electric motorbikes are uniquely designed with a large battery on its bottom whereby the electricity is installed and enables it to run for 100 kilometers only, and then is recharged to make it movable. Whenever the power of electricity comes down, a driver receives a signal of notification in its speedometer gauge. 

There would be no collaterals needed, except buyers would be registered in a special mobile phone code systems and issued with new SIM cards which are designed to operate and installed with app of ‘Paisha’ in order to be traced easily wherever they are to ensure more safety.

After having acquired the motorbike without cash in hand, drivers would be repaying their loans on daily basis at a cost of 12,000/- until the debt is cleared.

Alongside with this, drivers would also be issued with insurance known as ‘Voda bima’ and this would bring a great value to drivers and more safety for the passengers on board while being ferried from one point to another.

Paisha is a specific newly formed program by the telecom company whose application is a platform that offers users on-demand services wherever they are within Dar es Salaam commercial city. About 3,000 taxi drivers have been registered in this platform.

With the ‘Paisha’ app, one can raise up life and get services provided such as online transportation, food delivery, logistics, payments and daily services and other on-demand services from plumbers, electricians, carpenters, contractors and many others alike. 

The CEO of Africapital Investment, Burak Buyuksarac reaffirmed his company’s commitment as an investor. He told The Guardian that they will leverage operational expertise and extensive networks of investors to ensure the project become sustainable and profitable to drivers.

CEO of S.A Connect Sharif Aidarus said his company will stand to address crucial urban mobility challenges by providing drivers with an efficient, affordable and eco-friendly transportation solution in urban centers.

Tanzania is increasingly emerging as a top choice for investors worldwide, reflecting the government’s achievements in enhancing the business environment. The country stands on as a beacon for investors seeking stability and growth for East Africa, leveraging strategic geographical position and political stability to promise returns on investment.

The surge in the investment is evident in the recently concluded first quarter of the 202420/25 financial year whereby the country has registered 256 new projects, a significant increase from 137 projects in the same period last financial year.

TIC Executive Director, Gilead Teri said recently in Dar es Salaam that, “The value of investment in quarter one reached $ 3.9 billion (11trn/-), compared to $ 2,1 billion (5.7trn/-) during the corresponding trading period of 2023/2024. 

Early this year, TIC entered into a one year contract agreement with a Turkish firm, Africapital Investment Holdings Limited whereby the latter would attract capital investments with companies from Turkey and others in neighborhood to come and invest in Tanzania.

Under the agreement, a Turkish firm with a wide span knowledge of business activities in the world committed itself to increase common investment opportunities on behalf of the government to enable meets its targeted goals of economic development.

The foreign firm pledged to collaborate effectively with both international and local investors to accomplish the need by raising capitals for startups to collaborate with the initiative currently taking high pace in Tanzania.