“Before, I could only operate an ox cart. I never imagined driving an electric vehicle,” Mtambo told Xinhua after making a delivery at a store on her electric tricycle.

Ms Mtambo is part of a group of rural women driving Zimbabwe’s green transition through sustainable renewable energy with the support of Mobility for Africa (MFA), which seeks to bring affordable solar-powered vehicles to rural communities.

Adefi Mtambo ( left ) drives an electric tricycle in Wedza, Zimbabwe. Photo : Xinhua

In Wedza, MFA rents women electric tricycles that are suitable for rural terrain. The tricycles use components and spare parts imported from China. They are then assembled and modified for local conditions at a factory in Harare. Equipped with replaceable lithium-ion batteries, the tricycles can travel about 100km on a single charge and carry up to 400kg of cargo.

In rural Zimbabwe, women’s productivity is hampered by a lack of transportation. They often have to walk long distances to fetch water or firewood. Now, thanks to the electric tricycle, the lives of women in this African country have improved significantly. “Let’s say I sell four cabbages that I can carry, that means I can earn $4. But a tricycle can carry 50 cabbages, that means I can earn $50,” said Philis Chifamba, 38.

The initiative aims to create economic opportunities for rural communities, said Marilyn Maponga, MFA’s research and community engagement coordinator. “We recognise that rural women carry out most of the work. They have to do household chores, garden and farm work, as well as go to the market and fetch water. Providing them with transport will help them save time and be more productive,” Maponga said.

TU ANH