Solarbox Africa, an eMobility and green energy startup has closed a $1 million funding round to revolutionize clean transportation across Senegal and across the West African region.
The Pre-Seed round was led by key investors Digital Energy Facility (an initiative of AFD – Agence Française de Développement, IetP and Gaia Impact Fund), Launch Africa Ventures, JLL Foundation, and Teranga Capital.
Launched in Senegal in 2022 by Tijan Watt, Solarbox manufactures electric motorcycles and three-wheelers, solar charging systems and also provides micro-financing and fleet management for firms in West Africa such as Orange Energies, FedEx, and Paps Logistics, among others.
According to Watt, “Instead of importing millions of tonnes of petroleum annually, Senegal can harness its abundant sunlight. With transportation accounting for 40 per cent of Africa’s energy needs and over US$40 billion in fuel imports annually, solar-powered mobility
offers a transformative opportunity.”
The funds will help Solarbox Africa to meet the growing demand for its solar-powered electric vehicles (EVs) in Senegal and the broader West African region. It will use the money to scale production, deepen its market presence in the region and as well look for avenues to expand to offer up to 60% cost savings in fuel costs and reduction in carbon emissions.