The initiative will be an effort to tap into Senegal’s significant solar energy potential, which stands among the highest globally
A Solarbox Electric Vehicle
E-mobility and energy solutions startup, Solarbox Africa, announced that it has raised a $1 million pre-seed funding round. This funding will help the Senegal-based startup to meet burgeoning demand for its solar-powered electric vehicles (EVs) and establish itself as powerhouse in Senegal and the larger West African region.
The round saw participation from investors such as Digital Energy Facility (a collaborative initiative led by Agence Française de Développement, IetP, and Gaia Impact Fund), Launch Africa Ventures, JLL Foundation, and Teranga Capital.
Tijan Watt founded Solarbox in 2022 and grew under Wuri Ventures, a company he co-founded. A dual Senegalese and American national, he graduated from the prestigious Harvard Business School in 2007 with an MBA. He has more than 15 years of professional/entrepreneurial experience to his credit, as well as solid fund-raising skills.
As an e-mobility and energy startup, Solarbox specializes in the creation and assembly of custom light electric vehicles. The electric vehicles range from 2 and 3-wheelers that are tailored for corporate use, as it aims to cater to businesses seeking sustainable transportation alternatives.
The company’s offerings encompass solar charging, flexible financing models, and fleet management solutions which it has seamlessly integrated into its system. It has forged strategic alliances with notable entities such as Orange Energies, FedEx, and Paps Logistics. These alliances emphasize its commitment to promoting sustainable mobility across various sectors.
“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,” Watt said.
“Solarbox presents a compelling opportunity to back an industry-defining company in the electric mobility sector in Africa. By providing an integrated, locally adapted solution spanning vehicles, energy and software, they can address key ecosystem challenges and accelerate adoption. They adopt a B2B strategy that facilitates easy entry into new markets without requiring pre-existing infrastructure since charging points can be installed at the customer location.”
The founding team has strong entrepreneurial experience in Africa with the right mix of skills across engineering, sales and operations to execute. Early commercial traction is highly promising”. Launch Africa wrote on its website.
Solarbox has risen to the challenge of addressing Senegal’s massive importation of petroleum, which amounts to over $2 billion per year. Its solar-powered vehicles is projected to go a long way towards solving this issue. Solarbox not only aims at financial savings for its users but also a considerable reduction in carbon emissions. The initiative will be an effort to tap into Senegal’s significant solar energy potential, which stands among the highest globally. It also represents a departure from the reliance on fossil fuels and a step towards a cleaner environment.
