Cargo Express addresses a critical need in the region’s rapidly growing e-commerce sector.

Customers in major cities like Accra, Abidjan, and Lusaka will now benefit from a streamlined process for delivering large furniture, appliances, and other cumbersome goods.

“The rise of online shopping demands reliable solutions for bulky items,” said Ireoluwa Obatoki, Head of Business Development for Africa at Yango Delivery.

“Cargo Express fills this gap by offering a dependable and transparent service.”

Yango Delivery’s Cargo Express provides access to a fleet of vehicles specifically suited for large cargo transportation.

Customers can expect upfront pricing, eliminating any surprises upon checkout. The in-app platform also allows for real-time order tracking and keeps users informed throughout the delivery process.

This new offering complements Yango’s existing services, which include ride-hailing, motorbike delivery, and food delivery, creating a comprehensive suite of daily conveniences within a single app.

The launch of Cargo Express underscores Yango Delivery’s dedication to leveraging technology to enhance urban delivery experiences in Africa.

By providing clear pricing and efficient solutions, the company aims to empower both customers and local logistics partners.

“Cargo Express creates new revenue opportunities for our local partners and couriers while ensuring a more transparent delivery landscape in Africa,” Obatoki added.

This initiative builds upon Yango Delivery’s past efforts to improve its services.

In December 2023, the company partnered with MTN to provide free data plans for drivers, and in February 2024, they increased ride-hailing fares to support driver livelihoods.

Angata, which translates to “Let’s go” in Bambara, aims to revolutionize transportation in Bamako by offering electric vehicles (EVs) powered by solar energy.

The company will initially focus on selling electric cars and taxis with a range of up to 300 kilometers. These vehicles will be imported until Ibi Group establishes its own manufacturing plant for EVs in Mali.

“There’s a significant cost difference between traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles and electric vehicles,” said Ibrahima Diawara, CEO of Ibi Group.

“Internal combustion engines cost roughly 100 CFA francs (around €0.15) per kilometer for small vehicles and 200 CFA francs (€0.30) for larger ones. With our electric vehicles, each kilowatt covers 12 kilometers, translating to less than 15 CFA francs (under €0.02) per kilometer. That’s a major change!”

Diawara pointed to China, where a significant portion of vehicles on the road are already electric, and upcoming bans on internal combustion vehicles in developed countries by 2035 as evidence of the shift towards electric mobility.

Mali, with its abundant sunshine (averaging 4,200 hours annually), is well-positioned to capitalize on solar energy and reduce reliance on expensive and polluting fossil fuels.

Moussa Alassane Diallo, Mali’s Minister of Industry and Trade, expressed the government’s support for the private sector’s role in developing electric mobility during the Angata launch ceremony.

This groundbreaking facility is a significant step towards Kenya’s goal of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

It represents one of the first such centers on the African continent, bringing together experts and resources to explore innovative technological and leadership solutions for a sustainable ecological future.

The center’s research and development efforts will provide participating nations with the latest data to inform conservation strategies.

This vital information will be crucial for protecting biodiversity and mitigating the impacts of climate change, including prolonged droughts – a major threat to local communities and wildlife populations.

The initiative is backed by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development, located in Nairobi.

Additional documentary and IT support comes from the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (Cifor-Icraf), a longstanding champion of ecosystem preservation.

“Our goal is to address the challenges of biodiversity loss, extreme heat events, and promote sustainable natural resource management,” explained Peter Minang, Cifor-Icraf’s Africa Director.

Kenya’s dedication to environmental protection extends beyond the new center. In 2022, the nation successfully launched its first satellite, Taifa-1, with the help of SpaceX.

This constellation of initiatives, including the Center of Excellence, promises a comprehensive response to the region’s environmental challenges, particularly the devastating droughts that threaten livelihoods and wildlife survival.