AfricroozE GmbH was formed by the Germany-based NGO EURIST e.V. to boost e-bicycle adoption in Africa, after six years of successful e-bicycle pilot projects promoting socio-economic development in African nations, implemented in partnership with the First African Bicycle Information Organisation (FABIO) based in Jinja, Uganda. Africrooze is currently present in Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, Burkina Faso, and Benin.
Achievements
Within SOLUTIONSplus, Africrooze provided 16 pedal-assist electric bicycles and 5 additional batteries. The e-bicycles are jointly designed by EURIST, Hero India and the German company HNF Nicolai. They were assembled at the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology Company Limited (DIT) by DIT staff, students, and users of the e-bicycles, after a dedicated three-day training provided by EURIST and FABIO. The electric bicycles are used for urban deliveries and the transport of medical supplies by the FASTA Cycling Cooperative, which has been equipped with a booking application and 10 smartphones.
Innovation
Before the pilot, pedal-assist electric bicycles were not present in the Tanzanian market. The Africrooze long-tail e-bicycles were designed with a sturdy frame and 100 kg carrying capacity on the large rear carrier to carry loads or passengers. The design ensures that most spare parts can be found on the East African market and balances quality delivery and low prices. As of June 2024, Africrooze had deployed 532 e-bicycles on the African continent, catering to the growing e-bicycle market in urban and rural Africa for a variety of use cases including deliveries, e-bicycles as ambulances, transport of water bottles, etc. The e-bicycles facilitate access to economic activities and services such as education, water, farming, and the health system, and enable a reduction in transport costs as compared to larger vehicles previously used .