Wahu Mobility: Electrifying Ghana's Gig Economy

[00:00:00] Today, we're diving into the electrifying story of Wahu Mobility, a Ghanaian e-mobility startup that's powering up livelihoods and paving the way for a cleaner, greener future. From food deliveries in bustling Accra to engineers assembling bikes powered by the sun, Wahu is redefining what's possible in sustainable transportation.

[00:00:23] It's mid-morning in Accra and the streets are live energy. Among the sea of bikes and cars, a group of delivery riders is gearing up for the day. Among them is Lawrence Akakpo, a Wahu rider. Lawrence says, I charge my battery overnight, fix it to my bike in the morning and I'm ready to go. It's simple, affordable and gives me control over my work.

[00:00:50] Now, Lawrence's story is a familiar one in Ghana's gig economy. A graduate unsure of where to turn after school, he's found an opportunity of Wahu that's changed his life. Sitting at home as a graduate is clearly frustrating and looking for jobs costs money, it costs time and all these opportunities are limited for people such as Lawrence. Now, Wahu gives the chance to earn a living as people like Lawrence aren't able to bag any jobs as a graduate.

[00:01:20] And this is a common problem in the streets of Ghana. Now, at the heart of Wahu is Valerie Labby, the co-founder and CEO who envisioned a cleaner, more inclusive future for transportation in Ghana. What began as a small project in northern Ghana converting regular motorbikes into electric bikes has grown into a trailblazing startup.

[00:01:43] Now, Wahu designs, manufactures and sells electric bicycles, offering young people not just jobs, but also ownership through its innovative ride to own model. What Wahu Mobility is doing is genius. It's not just about building bikes, it's also about providing opportunities. Their goal is to provide more affordable, sustainable transportation while empowering riders to own their means of income. This is genius.

[00:02:12] Now, so many riders are choosing Wahu, but why? I mean, I think for one, the financial benefits are clearly hard to ignore. The average cost of charging a Wahu bike battery is just for Ghana cities and that's around 27 cents. That charge powers a bike for up to 70 kilometers. Now, if you compare that to traditional petrol powered bikes, which cost riders $200 to $250 per month in fuel alone.

[00:02:41] With Wahu, those costs drop substantially to about a whopping $30 per month. It's easy to understand why riders like Lawrence go with Wahu. It's such a game changer, honestly. Now, Lawrence makes about 100 to 200 Ghana cities a day, depending on how busy the market is. And because they don't have to worry about fuel prices, he can save even more and plan even better.

[00:03:08] Wahu also takes care of maintenance, office training and even tracks rider safety through an app. Now, for those of you who tuned into season six of the Sound of Accra podcast, I had a guest called Anthony Owusu-Ansa, who's the founder and CEO of Shack Express, which is Ghana's number one super app. If you go into the episode, he went into detail about what rider safety is all about in Accra.

[00:03:33] And Anthony's riders from Shack Express also use e-bikes as well. Now, Valerie says, who is the CEO and founder of co-founder of Wahu Mobility. She says every rider has a score system to track safety riding habits. If unsafe riding is detected, the system can shut off the bike. It's about protecting our riders and ensuring reliable service.

[00:04:00] Now, behind every Wahu bike is a dedicated team of engineers like Adwutam Haga, Adwutam Wama. Originally trained in marine engineering, she joined Wahu out of curiosity and now oversees quality checks and bike assembly. Wahu's commitment to sustainability goes beyond its bikes. The company's factory runs entirely on solar power, making it completely off grid. Incredible.

[00:04:29] They even track each bike to measure its environmental impact, calculating how much carbon is saved of every kilometer hidden. Behind every Wahu bike is a dedicated team of engineers like Adwutam Haga. Originally trained in marine engineering, she joined Wahu out of curiosity and now oversees quality checks and bike assembly. Wahu's commitment to sustainability goes beyond its bikes.

[00:04:57] The company's factory runs entirely on solar power, making it completely off grid. Incredible. They even track each bike to measure its environmental impact, calculating how much carbon is saved of every kilometer ridden. Valerie has said, we're the first EV company in Ghana to qualify for a compliance market deal. Our bikes don't just move people. Our bikes don't just move people. They contribute to genuine carbon savings.

[00:05:24] Now in the world that we're moving in in the future, this is key. Now, one of Wahu's most impactful initiatives is its Ride to Own program. Riders can choose from flexible payment plans starting at 300 Ghana cities per week over 24 months. The program makes it easier for riders to eventually own their bikes, creating a sense of pride and stability.

[00:05:51] Now, Lawrence says, I know this bike will be mine one day. It's not just the job. It's a step towards a better future. Wahu's growth also aligns with Ghana's broader push for electric vehicle adoption. The government's plans to roll out a national EV policy by 2027, aiming for a 35% EV penetration rate by 2035.

[00:06:16] Initiatives like tax exemptions for EV assembly are set to bolster startups like Wahu, further accelerating the transition to sustainable transport. Wahu is more than a business. It's clearly a movement and it's clearly about re-imagining transportation, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, whilst creating opportunities for young people to thrive. As Ghana's gig economy continues to explode,

[00:06:45] Wahu is proving that sustainability and profitability can actually go in hand in hand. So shout out to Valerie Labby and the team doing an amazing job at Wahu Mobility. From innovative engineering to empowering riders, Wahu is a shining example of what's possible when vision meets action. Well, that's all for today's PodBuy. If you have a story, a unique Ghanaian business insight,

[00:07:14] or an opinion or feedback that you want to share with us, please get in touch with us on social media. We're available on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok. Just search for the Sound of Coir podcast. Or alternatively, drop us an email info at the soundofcoir.com. I've been Adrian Daniels. You've been amazing. Thanks for tuning in. I'll catch you in the next episode. God bless. Take care. Bye. Bye.