Microsoft Nigeria, in collaboration with Get Funded Africa, recently held an electric vehicle (EV) hackathon at the Microsoft African Development Centre (MSADC) in Lagos. The event aimed to empower Nigerian startups and innovators revolutionizing the country’s EV landscape.
Three outstanding startups emerged victorious, receiving cash prizes and recognition for their groundbreaking ideas:
- Trekscotters (1st Place – N3 Million): Led by Esther Ehindero, Trekscotters offers an IoT platform facilitating easy access to electric scooters for university students and residents in densely populated areas.
- Helgg (2nd Place – N1.5 Million): This micro-mobility startup founded by Johnson Jaiyeola provides eco-friendly transportation solutions through their app-based electric scooter rentals. They target estates and university campuses with smooth roads and supportive communities.
- Celloop (3rd Place – N500,000): Lolade Alonge’s Celloop focuses on a crucial aspect of EV sustainability – responsible battery management. Their solution centers on recycling end-of-life batteries for efficient reuse.
The hackathon wasn’t just about competition. Industry experts like Temitope Edun (Project Executive, OANDO Clean Energy) and Samuel Ahanor (CEO, Magnus Samuel Limited) served as judges, offering valuable advice. Edun emphasized MSADC’s role in nurturing Nigerian innovation, while Ahanor urged participants to prepare for future government regulations as the EV industry expands. Nkem Nweke, Innovation Lead at the Nigerian Automobile Development Centre (NADDC), applauded the participants’ ingenuity, highlighting their contribution to building an “e-mobility space for Africans and by Africans.”
Helgg: A Case Study in Micro-Mobility Solutions
One of the winning startups, Helgg, offers a compelling example of how Nigerian entrepreneurs are addressing urban transportation challenges. Inspired by similar models in California, the co-founders, Johnson Jaiyeola, Oreoluwa Oluwafemi, and Paul Jaiyeola, identified a gap in Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure. Their electric scooter rentals cater to “last-mile” needs, bridging short distances that are inconvenient to walk but not ideal for car use.
Helgg’s focus on estates and university campuses allows them to operate outside the purview of complex government regulations. They partner with these communities, sharing a percentage of each transaction with the management. With a keen eye on safety, they invest in painting designated lanes and installing informative signage.
Helgg’s app-based system makes renting a scooter convenient. Users simply scan a QR code and pay a minimal fee to unlock the scooter and begin their journey. While electric scooters are their current focus, Helgg has ambitious plans to expand, offering electric bicycles in the future and eventually even replicating an Uber-like model for electric cars. Their ultimate goal is to disrupt the public transportation sector with a network of eco-friendly vehicles, reducing reliance on gas-powered alternatives.
Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future for Nigerian EVs
Microsoft’s EV hackathon is a testament to Nigeria’s burgeoning talent pool in the clean energy sector. With innovative startups like Trekscotters, Helgg, and Celloop paving the way, and support from organizations like MSADC and NADDC, Nigeria is well-positioned to develop a sustainable and efficient electric vehicle ecosystem.
