Tanzanian techpreneur sets up EV charging points in pilot project

Dar es Salaam. As Tanzania continues its technological revolution in electric vehicles (EVs), key stakeholders are stepping in to address critical challenges and drive transformative changes in the industry.

According to the 2023 Africa E-Mobility Alliance report, Tanzania was highlighted as a leader in adopting EVs within East Africa.

However, despite the growing interest, the lack of awareness and limited charging infrastructure remain significant barriers for many potential EV users.

To address these challenges, Tanzanian tech entrepreneur Gibson Kawago, through his company WAGA Motion, has begun installing pilot charging stations for select EV owners.

The pilot aims to create a larger infrastructure network, eventually making these services publicly available.

Speaking with The Citizen, Mr Kawago emphasised the overarching goal of building a robust charging infrastructure across Tanzania to encourage EV adoption.

“Many people who want to bring EVs into Tanzania ask themselves, ‘Where will I charge my car?’ So, the goal of this project is to accelerate the transition to e-mobility for Tanzanians,” he said.

Mr Kawago added that the starting point involves ensuring users can charge their vehicles conveniently at home, work, or public spaces.

“We’ve started with slow chargers because they’re the cheapest and most affordable, especially given the small number of EVs currently in the country,” he said.

Given the limited number of EV users in Tanzania, WAGA Motion has provided charging stations to selected people for feedback collection.

These insights will help the company understand the e-mobility ecosystem and user behaviour in Tanzania.

In addition, a charging station has been installed outside their office near Mlimani City to test their software.

The system integrates mobile payment options, allowing users to locate available charging stations in real time.

“The station at our office is a testbed for software integration. When the software is public available, users will be able to identify available charging stations and pay for the service seamlessly,” Mr Kawago said.

Challenges and innovations

One of the major challenges faced during this initiative has been the lack of a comprehensive database of EV owners in Tanzania.

According to Mr Kawago, most EV owners are private individuals who do not openly share information about their vehicles.

“Many people only learn about us when they hear about WAGA and our charging stations.”

Another challenge is Tanzania’s electricity supply. To address this, WAGA Motion plans to integrate renewable energy solutions such as solar and wind into their charging stations.

“Our stations will be equipped to switch to renewable energy when electricity is unstable. It’s a step towards sustainability and reliability,” Mr Kawago said.

He highlighted how the transition from petrol to gas in Tanzania served as an inspiration.

With more people adopting gas due to its affordability, he sees a similar opportunity for EVs.

“That's why we are focusing on education, charging stations, and creating awareness about EVs and how they work,” Mr Kawago said.

As WAGA Motion continues to lead Tanzania into the e-mobility future, the company hopes to bridge the gap in charging infrastructure, making EV ownership more accessible and practical for Tanzanians.