A new partnership between electric vehicle maker Agilitee and e-commerce and delivery platform Store2Door will allow aspiring entrepreneurs to acquire delivery scooters through 100 per cent financing, start earning from deliveries, and repay the cost from their income. This initiative aims to create job opportunities and support existing entrepreneurs in Kenya, where unemployment rates are high.
The first 200 electric scooters are scheduled for deployment on October 28, marking the launch of the 10-year partnership. The scooters, Agilitee's LoadRun and LoadStar models, can travel up to 180 kilometres on a single charge. Both companies will provide training to participants before they begin operations, covering topics such as operating the electric scooters, battery-swapping machines, and the ordering platform.
Owethu Ngxanzana, general manager of special projects at Agilitee Africa, says the financing model aims to remove the upfront cost that often prevents people from starting businesses. The initiative will allow existing entrepreneurs to open online stores, with Store2Door handling sales and deliveries, while vehicle owners can hire drivers to serve local businesses.
Under the arrangement, an aspiring entrepreneur identifies a local store and offers to provide delivery services using an electric scooter. Store2Door then onboards the store onto its e-commerce platform, while Agilitee provides the scooter on credit. The owner-operator can then hire drivers to make deliveries, creating additional job opportunities.
The model targets both new and existing entrepreneurs, with the companies planning to expand the initiative through activations and training programmes. Existing entrepreneurs can open a store on Store2Door's platform, allowing them to focus on their core business while Store2Door handles sales and deliveries.
Agilitee and Store2Door believe that the partnership combines electric mobility with e-commerce and last-mile delivery, providing participants with a route to vehicle and business ownership. The initiative is expected to revolutionize the industry and create a significant impact on employment rates in Kenya.
The partnership launch on October 28 will mark the beginning of a new era in electric mobility and e-commerce in Kenya. With 200 electric scooters set to be deployed, the initiative is poised to make a significant impact on the country's delivery business landscape, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs and job seekers alike.
Key points
- Unemployed Kenyans can own e-scooters and start delivery businesses without paying a deposit.
- The partnership between Agilitee and Store2Door aims to create job opportunities and support existing entrepreneurs in Kenya.
- The initiative combines electric mobility with e-commerce and last-mile delivery, providing participants with a route to vehicle and business ownership.
