Firm eyes Malawi market with electric vehicles
Agilitee Africa, the South Africa-based electric vehicles manufacturer, is eyeing Malawi as a possible new market for electrical vehicles (EVs) – in an expansion drive that has seen the green –tech firm establishing shops in a number of African countries.
Agilitee Africa has different products but for the Malawi market they intend to bring electrical cars and motorcyles – a business that create 1000 jobs in just one and half years – once started according to the firm’s chief executive officer Mandla Lamba.
The EV technology has brought about excitement globally as countries join hands to reduce carbon emissions – a serious problem that is leading to global warming. According to Lamba they are currently working on appointing directors to have the company established in the Capital Lilongwe.
The plan to establish the market in Malawi comes at a time when Malawi is in need of increased foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow Malawi is struggling to attract foreign private investment, with its small market and challenging business climate deterring potential foreign investors, according to the World Bank.
“We will be able to create at least 1000 jobs in our first 18 months in Malawi. Most of which will come from our assembly plant, then putting the EV infrastructure. Since we control the entire value chain, so the job creation will span out in that manner and not just manufacturing and assembling” said the chief executive officer who has already opened shop in other African countries including Kenya and Zimbabwe.
“As pioneers of the green revolution in Africa, we see Malawi playing a big role in it and it is one of the countries we are having a great focus on. The green economy will create jobs and boost the economy of Malawi. We are really excited and eager to see our products launched in Malawi” added Lamba.
Formed in 2019, Agilitee is a South African company that manufactures and resells new electrical vehicles, vehicle charging facilities and related production. The EVs are not only environmentally friendly but also have a lower operating cost according to Lamba.
Meanwhile, an international development expert Peter Yakobe said yesterday hailed plans by Agilita to invade Malawi market saying it shows that the country’s business environment is slowly instilling confidence in the eyes of foreign investors.
