Overcoming transport problems with cargo e-bikes

The challenge

The Zambian government wants to promote agriculture as a focal point of its work. Alongside the raw materials sector, agriculture is one of the main economic pillars, especially in rural areas. Smallholder farmers face several challenges, one of which is fast and safe transports of perishable fruits and vegetables to local and regional markets. Solar-powered cargo bikes can be a good solution here, as they are cheaper to operate and also more mobile in rural regions.

The goal

The partners – the Zambian Fountain Gate Crafts & Trades School (FGCATS) and the Hamburg-based European Institute for Sustainable Transport (Eurist) – want to use renewable energy and e-powered cargo bikes to create local value and employment opportunities. To this end, they want to develop a curriculum for e-bike-specific training, build a network and establish a centre of excellence for electric mobility in rural areas in the FGCATS.

The partners

Only officially inaugurated in 2021, the non-profit vocational school FGCATS already has broad experience in the field of renewable energies. It trains craftsmen in the field of solar energy and gives courses in the productive use of renewables, for example on cooling concepts in agriculture.

EURIST, on the other hand, plans and implements e-bike projects, for example how e-bikes secure access to markets, and how health and educational institutions become more mobile with their help. The institute works together with various universities and has also implemented various projects in Africa.

Approach

To exchange knowledge, the partners organise various workshops, whereby the practical ones are to take place in presence. In order to promote the e-mobility of (cargo) bikes, multipliers are needed. Therefore, both want to promote the networking of know-how and people. The main aim of the partners’ North-South exchange is that it should lead to an intensive South-South exchange. After all, the partners are doing development work in Africa that is likely to be of interest beyond Zambia’s borders.

In addition to networking, the transfer of knowledge to important multipliers is crucial. To this end, both sides are developing a corresponding curriculum in the fields of electric mobility and practical training modules in the areas of assembling, maintaining and repairing e-powered cargo bikes. The two partners are planning face-to-face workshops on electromobility. Two international experts will be invited to Zambia.

Finally, the partners want to set up a workshop with the necessary equipment at FGCATS. The partners will evaluate which tools are available in Zambia on site. At the end, the partners will compile lessons learned to share with other countries and organisations.