What is the name of your organization?
Greenfoot Africa
What is the name of your solution?
ZELO Platform
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Zero-emission urban logistics platform providing local businesses in East Africa with a clean and cost-effective way to transport goods locally
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Arusha
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
TZA
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
East Africa is experiencing the world's highest rate of urbanization, creating critical logistics bottlenecks. Urban populations will quadruple by 2050, reaching 280 million people. This growth has led to inefficient, high-emission transportation systems where businesses spend 35-40% of their operating costs on logistics, significantly hampering economic development.
Traditional transportation solutions cause severe environmental damage, with transportation accounting for up to 40% of CO2 emissions in African cities, and a significant share of air pollution, creating hazardous air quality. Meanwhile, electric vehicles face four critical barriers: prohibitive acquisition costs (2.5-3x higher than conventional alternatives), inadequate charging infrastructure (grid reliability below 70%), limited maintenance support (less than 5% of mechanics trained for EVs), and technology mismatch (imported EVs poorly suited for local needs).
These challenges particularly impact B2B last-mile delivery, where businesses struggle with unreliable delivery schedules, documentation gaps, and volume limitations of conventional transport options. 68% of businesses report delivery delays as a major operational challenge, while limited vehicle capacity forces multiple trips, increasing costs and emissions.
What is your solution?
The ZELO Platform is a comprehensive solution designed to make sustainable urban logistics accessible, affordable, and efficient for East African cities. Our integrated system combines:
1. ZELO eTrikes: Purpose-built electric cargo vehicles with 300kg payload capacity (3x conventional motorbikes), 80-120km range, swappable batteries, and modular configurations for different delivery types.
2. ZELO Hubs: Solar-powered operational centers with up to 15kW solar installations, battery storage (15-35kWh), charging infrastructure, maintenance facilities, and rider support. These hubs create a renewable energy network independent of the unreliable grid.
3. ZELO Connect: Digital platform optimizing routes (reducing kilometers traveled by up to 35%), providing real-time tracking, and offering business analytics that integrate with client systems.
4. ZELO DSP Program: Comprehensive system for recruiting, training, and managing professional riders with specialized B2B service protocols.
This integrated approach reduces last-mile logistics costs by 40% while eliminating emissions, providing businesses with reliable, sustainable delivery solutions specifically designed for African urban environments.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
The ZELO Platform primarily serves three interconnected stakeholder groups across East Africa's rapidly growing urban centers:
Local Businesses: Including FMCG distributors, retail SMEs, fresh food suppliers, restaurants, and medical distributors. These businesses currently spend 35-40% of their operating expenses on unreliable transportation. ZELO delivers 40% cost reduction, 94% on-time delivery, and up to 90% reduction in product returns due to damage. For fresh food suppliers, product spoilage is reduced as a result of using carrier units purpose-built for the job, and with temperature control features.
Riders/Operators: The ZELO DSP program creates stable income opportunities for Riders. Riders benefit from professional training, increased income compared to alternatives, consistent earnings through our revenue-share model, and career advancement opportunities in the green economy sector.
Urban Communities: By reducing emissions, ZELO improves air quality in densely populated areas, cuts CO2 emissions while improving access to and affordability of essential goods such as food, enhancing urban mobility, and demonstrating viable renewable energy solutions through visible solar-powered ZELO Hubs.
