Hambas for Green Skilling - E-Mobility

Building Green Skills for a Green Transition

A 2023 report by Mastercard Foundation and The African Policy Research Institute highlighted the significant gap in youth employment and training in green technology programmes in Africa, including building skills for green transportation. A green transport transition in Africa will not happen without creating the green skills needed to grow a viable and sustainable electric transport industry.

Mobility for Africa is dedicated to building an ecosystem in Zimbabwe to support the transition to green transport and the adoption of renewable-powered electric mobility.  MFA is supporting this through working with vocational and higher education institutions to develop government approved and standardized E-mobility courses to train technicians, mechanics and other skilled workers needed in the emerging green transportation industry.  Working with government enables the courses to be offered by many institutions in Zimbabwe, magnifying the reach of MFA supported courses.  

In 2023, Mobility for Africa in collaboration with Kushinga Phikalela Polytechnic, located near one of MFA’s sites, developed its first e-mobility course to train Hamba and three-wheeler EV technicians. 

It is a low-entry level course requiring the ability to read and write, with a focus on female candidates.  In Zimbabwe, the proportion of female youth (aged 15-24) not in education, employment or training is significantly higher for women (53%) than men (37%) and MFA is focused on enabling women to participate in green skilling opportunities and subsequent employment.

In December 2023, 20 students from rural communities, 11 female, enrolled on the course.  The learning is a mix of practical training and classroom study, focused on building skills and technical knowledge with a level of certification. Students are trained on the protocols to manage lithium-ion batteries, solar charging stations, repair, service and assemble tricycles as well as develop soft-skills in engaging with local customers and communities, and entrepreneurship on using the Hamba to set up a small business. 

The course aims to catalyse investment in the e-mobility industry in Zimbabwe by creating awareness within the market and a formula for expanding and growing capacity in the green sector as well as securing women’s economic future in the sector and contributing to improving Zimbabwe’s gender inequality in the labour force.

The development of the curriculum was supported by The Private Infrastructure Development Group and Toyota Mobility Foundation.