Cameroon - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

ZoomZoom brings green mobility to Africa. By leasing e-bikes to commercial operators and providing the power infrastructure, we improve transportation services, create jobs and provide electricity in poor and remote communities, while making a profit.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

ZoomZoom is a transformative initiative focused on revolutionizing transportation and energy access in Cameroon. Our project involves leasing e-bikes to commercial operators, particularly motorcycle taxi drivers. By leveraging a subscription model where affordable daily payments cover battery swaps, insurance, and maintenance, we will make electric mobility financially advantageous. Additionally, we will establish a network of strategically located battery swapping stations across key cities, ensuring minimal downtime for riders and overcoming the challenge of insufficient infrastructure. Our collaboration with local stakeholders, including government and financial institutions, will allow us to provide favorable financing options and incentives, bridging the initial cost gap between traditional and electric motorcycles. Furthermore, our commitment to continuous innovation ensures that ZoomZoom will remain at the forefront of the industry.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem being addressed by ZoomZoom is the lack of sustainable and accessible transportation options in Cameroon.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

1. Sustainable Mobility: ZoomZoom provides an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gasoline-powered motorcycles, reducing carbon emissions and promoting cleaner air in Cameroon's cities. 2. Economic Empowerment: By offering affordable electric mobility solutions and creating job opportunities for motorcycle taxi drivers, ZoomZoom enhances livelihoods and fosters economic growth in local communities. 3. Reliable Infrastructure: Our network of battery swapping stations ensures convenient access to power, minimizing downtime for riders and enhancing overall efficiency and reliability of transportation services across Cameroon.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

ZoomZoom primarily targets motorcycle taxi drivers in Cameroon, providing them with affordable and sustainable electric mobility solutions. Additionally, our initiative benefits commuters by offering reliable transportation services, and the wider community by reducing air pollution and promoting economic development.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-02-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Djoko is an electrical engineer, with over 10 years' experience in designing and maintaining mini solar power stations in rural Cameroon. Mapche is an attorney with deep knowledge of the administrative bureaucracy of Cameroon.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Our solution allows poor people to start a business and earn a living with minimal upfront costs, thanks to our innovative subscription model.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Thanks to ZoomZoom, the supply of transportation services will increase in the most remote areas, with the added advantage of zero pollution.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

2

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

By making our ZoomZoom bikes available to female entrepreneurs in the rural parts of Cameroon (where women face a dearth of opportunities) we contribute directly to their empowerment.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

The power generation systems which will be installed for ZommZoom will be clean by default, and we shall make the excess power generated available to the local population.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

At the core of ZoomZoom is the ambition to provide sustainable jobs to the local youths.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

In addition to providing an essential service for the development of local industry (transportation), the power generation systems will over time be used to power more of the local economy.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

By freeing the rural communities from the dependency on cities for importing energy and mechanical parts (thanks to the reliability of e-bikes), we contribute to reducing their inequality with regards to the cities.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

By sourcing the energy for transportation from local renewable sources, we will make these communities more sustainable.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

By shifting transportation to renewable sources of energy, we empower rural communities to do their part in safeguarding the climate.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

5

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

4

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

6

05.08 Justification

ZoomZoom's e-Bikes are functionally similar to the current technology at the point of use (during transportation), as the users will only experience a smoother ride and better range. However, the electric system, the convenient battery swap points and the novel financing system model make this an entirely new product for the bike operators. These bikes also extend the range of existing technology

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

The bike importers who import typically generic/white-label combustion bikes are our competition. Unlike them, we will have an extensive distribution outside of the major cities, as well as attractive financing models which present as a simple subscription for the bike operators. Additionally, our product will be cheaper to run for the operators (electricity is more than 25% cheaper than gas)

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

I run a tech showcase meetup where we hang out weekly to discuss each other's projects, with techies in the Yaounde area. Female entrepreneurs are given preference.