At eWAKA, we’re driving a dual mission: economic empowerment and environmental sustainability. Our business model makes affordable, eco-friendly eBikes accessible for last-mile deliveries, creating new opportunities for riders and reducing emissions with every mile.

Our work is not just about getting people on eBikes - it’s about unlocking potential. By partnering with financing institutions, we ensure riders gain access to eBikes they might otherwise be unable to afford. These bikes help increase their income while shrinking their environmental footprint.

On the business front, we offer full-service logistics solutions. Companies using eWAKA’s fleet benefit from reduced operational costs, optimized delivery routes, and a meaningful reduction in carbon emissions. With every delivery, we are helping businesses meet their sustainability goals and communities embrace clean mobility.

We are not just transforming mobility but creating an impact that transforms lives and protects our planet. This impact is already meaningful, and measurable: 

• 1.93 tons of CO₂ saved per eBike annually - equivalent to planting thousands of trees.
• 550+ eBikes deployed to date, resulting in 1,062.6 tons of CO₂ saved and creating 600+ jobs.
• $1.57 million in earnings generated through last-mile deliveries.

Behind these numbers are real people like 27-year-old Douglas, once struggling to provide for his family of four, now earns more than triple his previous income as an eWAKA rider. eWAKA provides him with an affordable path to owning his own IoT-enabled electric cargo bike, connects him directly with delivery jobs, and ensures his performance and asset utilization are optimized. This allows him to maximize his earnings and make more deliveries, boosting both his income and the revenue of the merchants he serves.

By 2028, our vision is even more ambitious: 35,000 eBikes deployed, saving 67,620 tons of CO₂ annually, creating nearly 100,000 jobs, and unlocking $126 million in economic value.

Challenges and opportunities for clean energy social entrepreneurs 

Despite growing momentum, off-grid clean energy enterprises face real barriers to scale and reach. Fortunately, technology has enabled significant progress in expanding access while optimizing for efficiency, particularly Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. 

However, affordability remains a critical challenge. Financing models that truly allow for long-term, affordable access to clean energy are still missing from the ecosystem. The most promising solution to this sticky barrier is collaboration across sectors and stakeholders.

Why I joined the Accelerator 

When I left the corporate world, I sought more than just a career shift - I wanted to build solutions for the underserved with respect, boldness, and impact. Acumen Academy's Accelerator was the perfect platform to learn from the world’s best and transform eWAKA’s vision into a sustainable reality.

Acumen’s focus on values-driven leadership and its global network of social entrepreneurs provided the tools to scale our model without compromising social impact. The program offered clarity on how to define success - not just through revenue but through the lives impacted and the emissions averted.

Impact on me and my business

The greatest benefit was gaining clarity on how to measure impact while maintaining financial sustainability. Acumen taught me to be bold in our mission while ensuring a sustainable business model.

The program also facilitated introductions with other local entrepreneurs working in the clean energy space and encouraged working in partnerships. At the end of the program, all cohort members reported an intention to pursue collaboration more aggressively. For us, this looks like a partnership with Drop Access to combine their Cool Ride solar-powered refrigeration units integrated with our electric bikes, providing a mobile and reliable solution to keep perishable goods and essential medicines at the right temperature. This innovative solution mitigates the risks posed by frequent power cuts, and its mobility greatly amplifies access to remote areas, transforming healthcare and economic resilience in underserved communities.

Ecosystem building at GOGSFE

As part of the Accelerator program, I joined my cohort to attend the 8th Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo 2024 (GOGSFE) in Nairobi. The opportunity to engage with innovators, thought leaders, and other social entrepreneurs was invaluable - reinforcing the power of networking and ecosystem building. 

GOGSFE provided a unique opportunity to engage with other entrepreneurs and leaders in the space. Speaking with others with deep experience and connections to clean energy access, we realized new insights into how mobility and energy solutions can create sustainable solutions for underserved communities. Among many positive takeaways was also the recognition that funding for African-led ventures is still lagging.

Hopes and dreams for the ecosystem

If I could wave a magic wand, I'd conjure a future where these events are a catalyst for transformative cross-sector collaboration. Imagine the synergy and acceleration of impact if the brightest minds from energy, mobility, and finance came together to co-create integrated solutions. As a founder in a nascent sector, it can feel overwhelming to build an entire ecosystem while growing a business. That's why platforms that foster partnership and knowledge-sharing across industries are so vital.

I also envision events such as GOGSFE as a global stage for the incredible talent and innovation of African-led startups. Too often, African entrepreneurs are underrepresented in these critical conversations about shaping the continent's future. It's time for their voices to take the lead. The impact of purpose-driven, homegrown ventures is immense, and they deserve the spotlight and support to present their groundbreaking solutions to the world.

With this vision in mind, my goal is to build not just a business but an ecosystem of solutions where riders, businesses, and communities all thrive. Events like GOGSFE remind us that when we share knowledge, align goals, and co-create, we unlock the full potential of African ingenuity.