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Known locally as okadas and kekes, motorcycle taxis are dominating the public transport sector Sierra Leone is to introduce more than a dozen electric three-wheeler (3W) motorcycle taxis on the roads of its capital Freetown. The 3W taxis are called kekes, with the electric version to be known as e-kekes. A 2024 report on transforming the transport sector in Sierra Leone by incorporating electric mobility, shows that two-wheelers (known as okadas) and 3W motorcycle taxis are likely to reach around 80,000 in the next five years. The trialling of 15 e-kekes coincides with the Environmental Protection Agency of Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) recently launching the country’s first electric mobility strategy. These efforts are part of a larger initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the country and improve urban mobility and air quality with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ‘Supporting Sierra Leone with the Shift to Electric Mobility’ will develop regulatory frameworks, pilot electric three-wheelers and battery-swapping stations, and design sustainable business models,” said UNEP. “A core focus of the project is scaling up and replicating successful initiatives while implementing fiscal policies to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption across Sierra Leone.” The initiative, which is funded by the European Union through the SOLUTIONSPlus project, kicked off in 2024. It is co-financed and implemented by the national government in partnership with UNEP, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and local stakeholders. “The initiative marks a significant step in Sierra Leone’s commitment to sustainable transportation. “It will initially deploy a fleet of 15 e-kekes in the capital Freetown, focusing strongly on gender inclusion by targeting 30% of women drivers to test drive the concept.” The shift to the electric motorcycles promises substantial environmental benefits, said UNEP. Electric taxis cheaper to run in the long-term The UN said that in Africa, traditional 3Ws consume four litres of gasoline per 100 kilometres, contributing significantly to air pollution – which is annually linked to 394,000 premature deaths across the continent. “Transitioning to electric vehicles will help reduce local air pollutants, mitigate pollution-related health risks in urban areas and enhance road safety by promoting quality e-kekes over gasoline-powered three-wheelers,” said UNEP. |
