Locally Manufactured E-Bikes with Rental System for Peri-Urban Communities

Windhoek has experienced significant rural-urban migration due to economic pressures and climate change impacts. This influx has created numerous communities in outlying areas where public transportation is unavailable. As a result, residents must either spend a substantial portion of their income on private transportation or walk long distances to reach their destinations. These long walks pose particular safety concerns for women traveling alone.

This IKI Small Grants project addressed these challenges by introducing solar-powered e-bikes and e-cargo bikes in Windhoek. The primary goal was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector while simultaneously improving mobility options for underserved communities, with a special focus on female commuters, street vendors, and local entrepreneurs.

The project has delivered measurable results including the manufacturing of e-bikes, establishment of two fully operational e-hubs, and comprehensive technical training for students from local universities and colleges. These outcomes provided affordable and sustainable transportation alternatives while significantly reducing carbon emissions in the urban environment.

Beyond the immediate transportation benefits, the project has created additional positive impacts. The e-hubs have been transferred to the Namibian Women’s Association (NAWA) and are now managed by two extensively trained e-hub managers. This management structure ensured that the initiative is self-sustaining, created local employment opportunities, and established a replicable model for sustainable urban transport solutions that can be implemented across other regions of Namibia.