To promote solar-powered e-mobility solutions, Senegal’s Solarbox raised $1 M Pre-seed funding
A US $1 million pre-seed funding round has been closed by Senegal-based e-mobility and energy solutions startup Solarbox Africa, which hopes to meet the increasing demand for its solar-powered electric vehicles (EVs) in Senegal and throughout West Africa.
Tijan Watt founded Solarbox in 2022, and it is incubated under Wuri Ventures. Solarbox designs, builds, and distributes light electric vehicles, such as two- and three-wheelers, for corporate customers.
Businesses looking for environmentally friendly transportation options can benefit from the startup’s fleet management solutions, flexible financing options, and solar charging systems.
A group of investors led Solarbox’s US$1 million pre-seed round, which included Launch Africa Ventures, JLL Foundation, Teranga Capital, and Digital Energy Facility, a partnership between Agence Française de Développement (AFD), IetP, and Gaia Impact Fund.
With the pre-seed money, the business intends to increase production, expand its market share in Senegal, and look into prospects in nearby nations.
“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.
