Imagine riding through the streets of Cotonou in a quiet, clean, electric tricycle; no exhaust fumes, no noise, just smooth motion with a digital app that calls your ride. That’s the world that ECOZEM, a startup in Benin, is building, one electric three-wheeled vehicle at a time.
From Idea to Wheels: What ECOZEM Actually Does
ECOZEM was founded by Fèmi Abel Tankpinou, an entrepreneur with a vision: to offer urban mobility solutions in Benin that are affordable, clean, and adapted to local realities.
Here are the key pieces:
• A fleet of electric tricycles (three-wheeled vehicles) and plans for electric four-wheeled ones too. These are powered by solar energy.
• Fare rate is about 150 FCFA per kilometer, which is competitive in Benin and cheaper than many petrol-powered options, thanks in part to lower operating costs.
• Vehicles can travel around 100-130 km per day on a full charge under current operations.
• The startup uses a mobile app (on Android & iOS) to order rides, which adds convenience and helps modernize the mobility experience.
Why ECOZEM Matters: Big Picture Impacts
ECOZEM isn’t just about replacing tuk-tuks or old three-wheelers with electric ones; it’s about reshaping how urban mobility works in West Africa. Here’s what makes it important:
• Environmental impact: Zero exhaust emissions, reduced noise, lower greenhouse gas emissions. In a time when fuel costs spike, and climate impact is real, these are not small wins.
• Cost savings: Electric vehicles often have lower maintenance and fuel costs, so ECOZEM’s model means savings not only for the operator but ideally for passengers too.
• Access & equity: By specializing in mid-range urban transport (not ultra-luxury, not ultra-basic), ECOZEM bridges a gap: people who want better comfort than motorcycle taxis, without paying much more.
• Local jobs & green tech: The startup creates jobs, especially for younger people, in the areas of driving, app-management, maintenance, and clean mobility tech.
Lessons for Africa & What We Can Learn
ECOZEM’s journey offers several encouraging lessons for other cities/countries trying to push sustainable mobility:
1. Start small but with real proof – ECOZEM began with a small fleet, showed the model works, then can scale.
2. Use digital tools to boost reliability & transparency – the mobile app for ordering rides matters for user trust and efficiency.
3. Align cost structure with local economics – pricing needs to be affordable but sustainable for the business.
4. Seek support from international partners & funds – ECOZEM benefited from backing (e.g. World Bank Challenge Fund via Sèmè City). Partnerships help with risk and scaling.
Where ECOZEM Could Go Next
Looking ahead, here are possibilities and growth paths:
• Expanding to more electric four-wheel vehicles for broader urban transport.
• Adding services like electric delivery (small goods), tourist rides, or community services.
• Building or partnering for solar charging stations strategically across the city.
• Educating the public & creating awareness campaigns to build electric mobility demand.
• Possibly exporting or sharing the model with other West African cities facing similar challenges.
ECOZEM is more than a startup; it’s a sign of how local innovation can tackle global challenges: climate change, urban congestion, air pollution, economic inequality. By combining electric mobility, solar power, digital tools, and affordable pricing, ECOZEM is rewriting the mobility story in Benin.
