E-mobility is at the heart of Uganda, Africa, and the world’s strategy for sustainable transportation. With rapid urbanization across the globe, the challenges of congestion, air pollution, and reliance on unsustainable fossil fuel-powered vehicles are reaching a tipping point. The shift toward electric mobility is crucial to addressing these issues, offering cleaner and more efficient alternatives that can reshape how we move and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future. Yongeza Capital, a forward-thinking e-mobility company based in Uganda is leading this transformation by pioneering innovative solutions that are redefining e-mobility and sustainability in the transport space.
A vision for a sustainable future
Yongeza Capital’s mission is clear, to accelerate the uptake of electric mobility in Uganda and foster a sustainable ecosystem that significantly reduces carbon emissions while offering opportunity for socio-economic transformation of many youths who rely on the magical ‘boda-boda’ for their livelihoods. Its vision is rooted in fostering a sustainable ecosystem and reducing carbon emissions. As an e-mobility provider, Yongeza Capital is not just offering products, it’s driving a movement toward cleaner, affordable, and efficient mobility. Their portfolio of products and services includes e-motorcycles and three-wheelers, complemented by a rapidly growing network of charging and battery-swapping stations.
The company’s approach is simple yet transformative; make clean transportation accessible to everyone, everywhere. Through innovation and commitment to sustainability, Yongeza Capital is creating real-world solutions that go beyond simply selling electric vehicles but also designing an ecosystem that supports a sustainable future for electric mobility.
Yongeza’s innovative game-changing business model
Yongeza Capital operates under the Infrastructure-as-a-Service/Charging-as-a-Service business model, offering automated battery swap stations that multiple electric motorcycle companies can use. This is a departure from scenarios where every e-bike vendor builds and operates charging stations that only charge their bikes. In other words, Yongeza is promoting the collocation of e-charging for various e-bike brands. In this model, Yongeza Capital covers all capital expenses as well as operations and maintenance costs, ensuring charging service availability upwards of 98%. This arrangement allows electric motorcycle companies to avoid significant upfront investment in infrastructure while still gaining access to essential charging and swapping stations. Instead of handling the setup, maintenance, and operations themselves, Yongeza Capital takes on the responsibility of maintaining and operating the stations which helps the electric vehicle companies minimize their capital expenditure (CAPEX).
By leveraging existing infrastructure, Yongeza Capital enables faster deployment and cost savings for electric motorcycle companies, eliminating the need for them to build or rent their stations. This model also reduces the hassle of maintenance and unexpected issues as Yongeza Capital handles these aspects, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations while benefiting from an efficient, shared network.
Yongeza Capital’s role in revolutionizing e-mobility with clean energy and the potential integration of solar PV
- All their stations rely on grid power specifically clean grid power.
- They do not use diesel generator backups to avoid the usage of unclean power and minimize environmental pollution.
- Yongeza is actively engaging with financiers as well as engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies to facilitate solar PV installations at all swap stations, wherever they are viable.
The demand for clean energy solutions in the transportation sector is growing rapidly, with countries realizing the need for greener alternatives to fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Traditional transportation methods contribute heavily to carbon emissions, urban air pollution, and reliance on fossil fuels. Yongeza Capital’s operations are addressing these issues head-on by providing e-mobility options that reduce both carbon footprints and the dependence on polluting vehicles.
Yongeza’s impact is already measurable. Through its e-mobility solutions, the company is actively reducing over 2,250 kg of CO2 emissions annually. Its fleet of 500+ e-bikes, which is actively providing sustainable transport, plays a significant role in driving cleaner air and supporting a healthier environment for Ugandans.
Making sustainable transportation possible and also affordable is a core priority at Yongeza Capital. Through innovative pricing models and financing options including energy sales and battery-swapping technology, the company ensures that electric mobility is within reach for individuals and businesses alike. Motorcycle taxi riders, for instance, save up to 40% on daily fuel costs by switching to electric bikes, while reducing up to 67% in maintenance and servicing costs. This is not just an environmental win but an economic one, as it empowers people to save money while contributing to a cleaner environment.
The benefits of electric mobility also include driving operational efficiencies, cutting fuel and maintenance costs, and improving the overall sustainability of public transportation. The company’s electric bikes are carefully designed to handle African roads with ease, boasting a distance of 80 Kilometers on just a single charge.
One of Yongeza Capital’s standout innovations is its comprehensive automated charging and battery-swapping infrastructure. With 13+ automated charging stations already established and a goal of further expansion of its network, Yongeza is addressing one of the most significant barriers to electric vehicle adoption which is, the limited availability of charging infrastructure.
The company’s cutting-edge battery-swapping technology allows customers to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in under a minute, providing a seamless experience. Additionally, Yongeza Capital is committed to transitioning many of its charging stations to solar power by 2025, ensuring that the entire energy cycle from battery charging to usage is eco-friendly and sustainable.
Yongeza’s battery-swapping technology also solves the problem of range anxiety, a common concern for electric vehicle users. By offering quick swaps and a vast network of stations, Yongeza Capital ensures that users never have to worry about running out of power mid-journey. The system is designed to be user-friendly, with geo-locatable batteries and bikes, making it easy for users to track their vehicles and plan their routes efficiently.
Key challenges faced by Yongeza in its e-mobility and clean energy initiatives
- High cost of financing.
- Unreliable grid power, which could be more affordable.
- Alignment of key stakeholders within the industry.
- Poor telephone network coverage in certain locations impacts smart payment systems for services.
A growing market opportunity
The rapid expansion of the electric vehicle market presents significant growth opportunities for Yongeza Capital. As a company that offers electric vehicles and the infrastructure to support them, Yongeza is well-positioned to take advantage of the increasing demand for sustainable mobility solutions. The company’s ability to scale operations across Uganda is a testament to the company’s forward-thinking approach. Yongeza is already exploring replication of the business model in neighboring countries.
With more than 600 jobs expected to be created by 2025, Yongeza Capital is not only revolutionizing transportation but also fostering economic growth. The company’s ability to attract and retain talent where more than 40% of its staff are women, and over 100 youth have been trained in e-mobility, is a reflection of its commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. Furthermore, Yongeza’s partnerships with other e-mobility stakeholders like Spiro are helping to drive the industry forward, creating a more sustainable and interconnected ecosystem.
Investing in the future: Why Yongeza Capital is a smart investment
For investors and stakeholders, Yongeza Capital represents an exciting opportunity to be part of a company that is at the forefront of the e-mobility revolution in Uganda. As the electric vehicle market continues to grow and the world shifts toward cleaner energy solutions, Yongeza’s position as a provider of both vehicles and infrastructure gives it a unique advantage.
The company’s strategic investments in research and development ensure that its products remain cutting-edge and its continuous focus on improving battery technology and charging infrastructure positions it for long-term success. With the growing need for sustainable transportation solutions and the company’s demonstrated ability to scale, Yongeza Capital is poised for significant growth in the coming years.
Beyond the business case and environmental benefits, Yongeza Capital’s work also has a profound social impact. Through its services, Yongeza is improving air quality and making transportation more affordable for communities across Uganda.
The company’s holistic approach integrates clean vehicles, easy access to charging stations, and innovative energy solutions, all contributing to the transformation of mobility in Uganda. Yongeza Capital is not just pioneering a green economy but also securing the future of e-mobility in Uganda.
As Uganda continues its transition toward a green economy, Yongeza Capital is playing a critical role in job creation, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability. By providing clean transportation solutions and fostering a skilled workforce, the company is supporting the development of a sustainable economy that benefits both people and the planet.
The company’s work in reducing emissions, creating employment, and training youth for careers in the e-mobility sector is laying the foundation for a brighter and greener future. With more than 600 jobs expected to be created by 2025 and an ongoing commitment to gender equality and inclusivity, Yongeza Capital is not just a business but also a force for positive change.
See also: OP-ED: Boosting the profitability of e-mobility with carbon credits
