Meet the woman behind the Ghana-made eco-friendly delivery bikes
In the bustling streets of Ghana, Valerie Labi is revolutionizing transportation through the creation of electric bikes.
Labi's passion for eco-friendly solutions has led to the development of bikes powered solely by electricity, equipped with two rechargeable batteries that boast an impressive range of up to 140 kilometres on a single charge.
Collaborating with major delivery companies such as Glovo and Bolt, these bikes are petrol-free fleets, redefining service delivery in the West African nation with speed and convenience.
Labi's company and workshop, Wahu Mobility in Accra, Ghana is where skilled workers design and construct each electric bike.
Labi holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Southampton University and a Master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership from Cambridge University, both in the United Kingdom.
When asked about the inspiration behind her venture, she said, “From my travels and engagements in the various regions of Ghana, I found out that aside from sanitation, transportation was also a challenge. So, I started looking at creating a business in mobility where electric bikes could be used for delivery. As fate would have it, I started buying secondhand bicycles that were going to Bolgatanga so my co-founder, Ghanaian Aerospace Engineer Quincy Agyapong, could convert them into electric bikes," she was quoted by local media The Mirror.
Over three years in business, Wahu Mobility has placed over 100 electric bikes in circulation, adopting a 'work and pay' model for delivery riders. Riders pay GH¢300 weekly for two years before becoming full owners of the bikes.
Labi emphasizes the benefits of electric bikes, citing their environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness. The bikes take about three hours to charge fully.
“Our bikes are all installed with trackers that are connected to our back-end system, so theft is unlikely, she was quoted by local media The Mirror. “It took us two years to effectively design a bike that we thought was fit for the African road.”
Looking ahead, Labi envisions an expansion of her initiative, intending to reach 250,000 delivery riders by 2030.
