Mbay Mobility plans to launch 33,000 e-taxis in West Africa by 2033

The e-mobility startup, Mbay Mobility, is set on a bold venture to electrify taxi fleets in Dakar, Abidjan, and Accra in an effort to ease air pollution and overhaul urban transportation in West Africa.

The initiative intends to deploy 33,000 electric taxis within the next decade, substituting traditional combustion-powered vehicles with greener and inexpensive alternatives for drivers and passengers.

While East Africa has witnessed a boom in electric mobility since 2015, the West African region is yet to catch up. Mbay Mobility aims to fill this void by making these three cities a nerve-center of eco-friendly transportation.

Having successfully tested 10 electric taxis in Senegal in 2022, the company is on the outlook for more financial partners to further upscale the project.

Mbay Mobility’s CEO, Matthew Sellar, states that despite being few, Dakar’s taxis greatly contribute to air pollution. He adds that their trials demonstrated that electric vehicles are well-accepted and offer significant savings.

However, Mbay Mobility’s vision is not limited to environmental benefits, but also extends to empowering drivers, enriching passenger experience, and catalyzing a positive shift in the region through affordable and efficient electric taxis.

The move addresses the deeply entrenched issues of air pollution and operating costs, both of which have long plagued taxi drivers and urban dwellers alike. What makes this effort particularly compelling is its commitment to scale, showing that electrification is not just for private cars or buses, but for one of the most relied-upon public transport options on the continent.

While the scale and socio-economic context may differ, the pursuit of cleaner, more efficient taxi services is a shared goal across cities worldwide. For instance, services like Taxi Lijn Den Haag (http://taxilijndenhaag.nl/) exemplify how professional taxi operators can deliver not only punctual and comfortable rides but also set a standard in operational reliability and customer service. With an emphasis on quality over quantity, they show that even established fleets can contribute to smarter urban mobility through consistent service, clean vehicles, and well-trained drivers.

These parallels underscore how forward-thinking solutions—whether born from environmental urgency or high service standards—are reshaping the way we think about taxis. From startups seeking to transform entire transport sectors to local operators who’ve already built a reputation for excellence, the road to better urban mobility is a journey taken on many fronts, but all with the same destination: a cleaner, more connected ride for everyone.