ZELO Platform

Greenfoot Africa tackles the prohibitive upfront cost of adopting electric vehicles by Africans as an effort to transition to cleaner and affordable transport solutions, and interconnected problems of unsustainable urban logistics, economic stagnation, and the widening gap between the urgent need for climate action and the realities faced by African cities:

• The Cost Barrier to Green Transition: Even environmentally conscious businesses and individuals are priced out of adopting electric vehicles. High upfront costs, a lack of affordable financing options, and limited availability of vehicles designed for African conditions create a massive barrier to change.

• Inefficient, Polluting Logistics: Traditional delivery systems in African cities rely heavily on aging, fuel-inefficient motorcycles and vans. This contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, worsening air quality, and traffic congestion. These factors stifle business growth and harm public health, disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities near transport hubs.

• Fragmented Informal Sector: A significant portion of deliveries relies on informal motorcycle operations. These are unregulated, emissions-heavy, and leave workers with unstable income and no path to a more sustainable livelihood.

The scale of the Problem

• Africa's Urbanization Boom: The continent is experiencing the world's fastest urbanization rate. By 2050, over 1.3 billion Africans will live in cities (UN-Habitat). Without intervention, the transport-related emissions problem will worsen exponentially.

• Health Impact: The World Health Organization estimates that outdoor air pollution in African cities causes hundreds of thousands of premature deaths yearly, with transport being a major contributor.

• The Missed Economic Opportunity: Businesses burdened by fuel costs and inefficient deliveries are held back. The World Bank highlights how logistics inefficiencies act as a major brake on economic growth across the continent.

Factors We Directly Address

• Affordability: Our rental model removes the prohibitive upfront investment in electric cargo bikes, democratizing access to sustainable transport.

• Context-Specific Design: Our bikes and fleet management software are built to thrive in African cities, ensuring our solution is not just imported, but truly transformative.

• Data-Driven Potential: The ZELO platform generates insights on urban logistics patterns, valuable to, operators, businesses, and city planners seeking to optimize infrastructure and encourage wider EV adoption.

• Formalizing a Green Sector: By providing stable jobs, training, and a clear career path within green logistics, we help transition informal workers into a more sustainable and equitable economic future.

Why This Matters

Greenfoot Africa doesn't just mitigate emissions with a single technology. We address root causes hindering climate action, unlock economic potential, and empower African communities to lead the way in building climate-resilient cities.

Our Solution: The ZELO Platform

At its heart, ZELO is an integrated platform designed to make it affordable and accessible for logistics service providers and businesses adopt electric vehicles for urban logistics applications in Africa. It combines three key elements that work in synergy:

1. Purpose-Built Electric Cargo Bikes:

• Capacity & Range: Designed to handle diverse deliveries, with a target range of up to 120km on a single charge to maximize a full workday's use.

• Resilience: Components are chosen for their durability, ease of maintenance, and suitability for the range of climates and road conditions found across Africa.

• African Innovation: While inspired by global e-cargo bike trends, ZELO bikes are designed and (ideally) manufactured in Africa, creating local jobs and ensuring they truly meet local needs.

2. Intelligent Fleet Management Software:

• Route Optimization: Algorithms factor in real-time traffic (where data exists), road conditions, and weather to maximize efficiency and rider safety.

• Delivery Tracking: Businesses have transparency on order status, building customer trust. Riders have clear directions within the app, minimizing confusion.

• Predictive Maintenance: The software monitors bike usage, suggesting servicing before breakdowns occur, ensuring maximum vehicle uptime.

• Data & Insights: Anonymized data generated by ZELO to.

3. Rider Job-Matching Platform

• Accessibility: Designed to be user-friendly across different literacy and technology comfort levels, with local language options.

• Fair & Flexible: Job allocation ensures equitable income opportunities, while offering both full-time and part-time options to accommodate different rider needs.

• Community Building: The platform allows riders to build profiles showcasing their experience, encouraging growth and a sense of professionalism within the emerging green logistics sector.

How It Works - from a Rider's Perspective

1. Rider can sign up with ZELO Platform through the app.

2. The app shows available ZELO bikes for rent at locations around the city. Rider can choose the one closest to them and pick a preferred rental plan (daily, weekly, monthly).

3. Once rented the bike, riders can choose to offer service to customers they already have in their own network, or accept jobs coming through the app. These jobs come from stores and businesses that have signed up with ZELO.

4. Riders can choose the jobs they want to accept based on factors like distance, pay, and delivery preferences. The app will show the most efficient route for each job and minimize wasted time.

5. The app also provides turn-by-turn navigation. Provide a way to track progress and track their earning in real time.

6. Once a delivery is completed, they'll be able to save the trip and see new job opportunities.

The Digital Technology Advantage

While the concept of an electric cargo bike isn't novel, the digital aspect of it is what makes ZELO transformative. It harnesses simple mobile technology and data analysis for a complex problem, all tailored for the African context.

ZELO Platform is designed to benefit a network of interconnected groups of urban logistics players and beneficiaries within African cities:

1. Urban Logistics Service Providers (LSPs):

Many delivery workers operate in the informal sector, with unstable income, no benefits, and unsafe vehicles, and despite proven benefits and aspirations to do so, the switch to electric vehicles is still out of reach for most of them

Impact: ZELO opens the door to dignified, income-generating work in a growing sector. We prioritize:

• Fair wages, exceeding local informal sector averages.

• Opportunities for skill development and career progression within ZELO.

• The potential to use the platform to build their own independent delivery businesses, fostering entrepreneurship.

2. Small & Medium-Sized Businesses (SMEs):

These businesses are the backbone of many African economies but are often held back by the high cost and unreliability of traditional logistics. Limited access to credit makes investing in electric vehicles nearly impossible.

Impact: ZELO offers affordable, reliable, and eco-friendly logistics. This translates directly into:

• Reduced operating costs, freeing up capital for business growth

• Increased delivery capacity, allowing them to serve more customers or expand their reach

• Improved customer satisfaction with reliable deliveries and the ability to market their commitment to sustainability

3. Urban Communities at Large

All city residents suffer the consequences of traffic congestion and air pollution. Vulnerable populations, especially children and those living near major roads bear the highest health burden.

Impact The ZELO platform has ripple effects far beyond individual businesses and riders:

• Each electric cargo bike on the road represents a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and harmful particulate matter.

• Over time, optimized routes and reduced idling contribute to improved traffic flow within the city.

• In the long term, the data generated can empower city planners to make informed decisions about cycling infrastructure and policies that benefit everyone.

4. Beyond the Core Users

• E-Commerce & Large-Scale Delivery Companies: We envision partnering with existing players to optimize their last-mile logistics using ZELO bikes, benefiting from our efficiency and local reach.

• Potential for Expansion: The platform's data-driven insights could be valuable to researchers studying sustainable urban development models tailored to the African context.

Greenfoot Africa is committed to ensuring our platform is accessible to women, youth, and those from marginalized communities. This also translates to a thoughtful cargo bike design that can be easily used by all genders and people with disabilities, inclusive app design, rider training programs, and partnerships with organizations focused on equitable workforce development within the green economy.

Greenfoot Africa's ZELO Platform is a journey born out of necessity and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the East African urban logistics context.

• From Provider to Problem-Solver: We started as a logistics service provider with a fleet of five(5) electric motorbikes imported from China. This gave us invaluable firsthand experience with the limitations of this approach.
• The PoC and the Pivot: For 18 months, we ran a rigorous proof-of-concept (PoC). While it validated the demand for clean, efficient deliveries, we encountered hurdles:
  • The imported bikes weren't suited to transport for the demanding local terrains and weight demands for the majority of orders.
  • The upfront investment proved prohibitive to scale our operations and accommodate more and more orders.

These challenges became the catalyst for our innovation.

• Building a Local Solution: Our team, equipped with local market realities, embarked on developing the ZELO Platform as an integrated approach to address the challenges we identified:
  • Durable, Affordable Bikes: We prioritized designing and (ideally) manufacturing bikes specifically for the African context, using components that are easy to maintain and source locally.
  • Tech Tailored to the Terrain: Our in-house software development team created the ZELO app and fleet management system. It's user-friendly and doesn't require high-bandwidth data connections, factors crucial for success in our target markets.

A Team Rooted in the Community

• Team Composition: Our leadership includes individuals who were born and raised in East Africa, alongside those with experience in clean energy and tech industry such as the Internet of Things (IoT). This blend is crucial for creating solutions that resonate locally while incorporating best practices.
• Local and International Partnerships: We have partnered with organizations such as Twende Social Innovation Centre, MIT D-Lab, and Siemens Stiftung that complement our team in different areas of product development.

Proximity Informs Innovation

Greenfoot Africa isn't just about data – it's about lived experience:

• Johnson Jacka: Having started several businesses including a print-making business, I witnessed firsthand the impact of logistics on the business bottom line, the struggle shared by all businesses from big distributors to small family shops, and the impact our way of doing business has on the environment and communities fueled my passion to find an African solution to an African problem.
• Community-Driven Design: Our initial pilot wasn't a top-down approach. We collaborated closely with riders and businesses. Their feedback directly shaped the ZELO platform and the design of the bikes themselves. This iterative process continues through ongoing user feedback mechanisms within the app and regular focus groups.

Transforming Experience into Impact

The challenges we faced during our PoC weren't setbacks – they were crucial lessons. We are a team that understands the East African urban landscape because we've been a part of it. This deep understanding fuels our commitment to developing solutions that are not just innovative, but truly transformative for our communities.

Why Prototype Stage?

We selected the "Prototype Stage" because we've moved beyond the concept and initial designs. We also have a proven model and tangible results from our 18 Month Proof-Of-Concept (PoC) in Arusha, Tanzania:

• Learning From Available Solutions: We deliberately launched our Proof-of-Concept using a fleet of imported electric motorbikes from China. This gave us invaluable insights into the shortcomings of existing solutions and what is truly needed for the East African context.
• ZELO Bike Gen 1: Our team has developed a purpose-built prototype of the cargo tricycle specifically for urban logistics applications. Based on riders feedback, this bike is under further refinement before launching a full-scale pilot.
• The Software Backbone: Alongside the bike development, we are also developing the core of our ZELO platform:
  • Route optimization algorithms adapted to local road networks
  • A rider app designed for ease of use and low bandwidth requirements.
  • A business dashboard providing live tracking and basic fleet management.
• Real-World Deployment and Benefits: We have partnered with several small and big businesses including Greenlight Planet (SunKing) that leverage ZELO Platform to conduct local pickups and deliveries. These partners saw measurable benefits including reduced last-mile logistics-related operating costs by up to 40%.

Beyond the Metrics

• Lessons Learned: The PoC proved the demand for affordable and sustainable logistics, highlighting the crucial need for bikes and software designed specifically for the African context.
• Data as a Tool: We began collecting valuable data on urban logistics patterns, which will be even more robust with larger-scale deployment.
• Community Relationships: We engaged with rider associations, gaining early buy-in for a model that elevates their livelihoods within the green sector.

Where We Are Now

• ZELO is Refinement-Ready: The PoC validated the core idea and identified key improvements. We have a roadmap for optimizing the bike design and scaling up the software's capabilities.
• Market Validation: We have a waitlist of businesses eager to move to use ZELO Platform for their urban logistics needs and an active pool of riders interested in our cargo bikes.

You can watch a video of our second-generation Zelo bike here.

Why Greenfoot Africa and Solve are a Powerful Match

Solve represents a unique opportunity for Greenfoot Africa to overcome specific barriers holding us back from making a transformative impact across the continent. We seek partners who share our vision of African cities leading the way in sustainable, equitable urban development.

Key Barriers and How Solve Can Help

1. Scaling Production While Staying True to Local Needs: Striking the balance between affordability and building bikes specifically for African conditions is complex. Solve can connect us with:

   • Impact investors who recognize our commitment to local manufacturing or assembly. This allows us to expand our fleet without sacrificing quality or our African focus.
   • Technical advisors who can optimize our bike design to further reduce maintenance costs and maximize efficiency in diverse urban environments across Africa.

2. From Data to Impactful Advocacy: Our platform generates valuable insights, but we need support to turn them into compelling tools for driving policy change. Solve can help by:

   • Introducing us to urban planning experts and researchers focused on African cities, allowing us to refine our data analysis and messaging.
   • Catalyzing collaborations with city governments, demonstrating the real-world benefits of our data for infrastructure planning and pro-EV policies that accelerate the wider transition.

3. Strategic Cross-Border Expansion: Replicating ZELO across Africa requires more than just our tech. Solve can provide:

   • Connections to MIT's global alumni network, helping us find the right local partners and understand the regulatory landscape in each new market.
   • Mentorship on tailoring our business model for different city contexts.

4. Mitigating 'First Mover' Risk: Our rental model is a bold leap. It could unlock a massive shift but requires the right supporters. Solve can provide:

   • Access to investors or funders willing to offer guarantees or innovative financing tools that de-risk our approach, inspiring wider adoption.
   • Introductions to platforms designed for peer learning. Connecting with other Solver teams tackling similar financing challenges will help us refine our strategy.

Beyond Funding: What We Seek from Solve

• Targeted Visibility: The Solve platform would amplify our work, attracting potential partners in government, the private sector, and the impact investment space specifically seeking solutions tailored for Africa.
• Mentorship for Growth: Access to MIT's network of mentors would be invaluable for refining our pitch, optimizing pricing structures across diverse markets, and navigating unforeseen challenges of rapid growth.

Why Investing in Greenfoot Africa Matters for Solve's Mission

We offer the opportunity to demonstrate the power of partnering with African innovators solving African problems. Our success has the potential to:

• Set a Precedent: Prove that affordable, sustainable urban logistics are viable at scale, inspiring cities across Africa to ditch outdated models.
• Foster Data-Driven Development: Showcase how data collected through a private enterprise can directly improve public infrastructure, city planning, and environmental policy.
• Champion a Just Transition: Demonstrate that addressing climate change and building economic resilience go hand-in-hand.

1. Affordability-First Approach: Democratizing Sustainability

The traditional ownership model for electric vehicles, especially in the context of last-mile logistics, creates a massive financial hurdle for African businesses. Despite their aspirations, high upfront costs make the eco-friendly transition unattainable for many small to medium-sized enterprises. Greenfoot Africa flips this paradigm with its rental model. We democratize access to clean transport technology by eliminating that initial investment barrier. This affordability unlocks a new market segment: riders, independent operators, and businesses eager to reduce their carbon footprint who previously couldn't justify the expense.

2. Integrated Tech: More Than Just Electric Bikes

While our locally manufactured electric cargo bikes form the backbone, Zelo Platform's innovation lies in building an entire ecosystem around them. Our platform approach provides a suite of essential tools:

• Fleet Management Software: This tool is the "control center" for logistics providers. Streamlining route optimization, delivery tracking, bike maintenance alerts, and rider communications increases efficiency massively. Operators that may have relied on manual systems get a technological boost, significantly improving their service delivery capacity and quality.
• Rider Job Matching Platform: This element addresses the other side of the equation. We create a self-sustaining network by connecting riders/operators with businesses needing transport. Riders are assured of finding work, businesses get reliable logistics, and our platform acts as the vital bridge bringing them together.

This integrated technology stack distinguishes us from simply renting out electric bikes. It's about providing a complete, user-friendly solution that addresses the pain points of traditional logistics within the African context.

3. Data-Driven Potential: Beyond just transporting goods

ZELO Platform, by its very nature, will eventually become a data collection tool. Information on delivery routes, traffic patterns, peak usage times, types of goods transported, and distances traveled within urban areas can hold immense value:

• Insights for Businesses: Analyze this data to help businesses identify bottlenecks in their delivery chains, suggest alternative routes, or optimize delivery schedules to maximize the use of their electric fleet.
• Smart City Planning: Partner with city authorities and planners to share anonymized data. This can aid in infrastructure development, pinpointing areas needing infrastructure improvements, or informing the placement of future EV charging/battery-swap hubs.
• Long-Term Vision: Could the network of electric cargo bikes also become a carrier for environmental data monitoring? Air quality sensors fitted to the bikes could provide real-time data, mapping pollution hotspots across the city at street level.

This underscores the future-looking nature of our innovation. The immediate impact is on clean transport, but the long-term potential extends to making African cities more data-driven and livable.

Greenfoot Africa: Transforming Africa’s Urban Logistics

The Challenge: African cities are bustling with economic activity, but traditional logistics are expensive, polluting, and inefficient. The prohibitive cost of electric vehicles acts as a barrier to a more sustainable and equitable future.

Greenfoot Africa's Solution: ZELO Platform - a three-pronged approach: affordable electric cargo bike rentals, intelligent fleet management software, and a rider job-matching platform. Together, these elements aim to create a thriving, low-carbon logistics ecosystem.

Theory of Change:

Inputs

• Investment funding
• Our existing team expertise (logistics, tech, African markets)
• Early-stage prototypes (e-cargo bike, software)
• Partnerships (rider groups, pilot businesses, potential local manufacturers)

Activities

• Scale-up bike manufacturing/assembly ensuring affordability and local sourcing
• Refine and expand ZELO software features (job matching, predictive maintenance, etc.)
• Proactive rider onboarding and training
• Business acquisition, focusing on SMEs
• Engage with city governments and researchers for data insights

Outputs

• Increased number of ZELO bikes operating in the city
• Businesses actively enrolled and using the delivery platform
• Active rider pool, with a focus on inclusivity
• Platform generating data on emissions, routes, business metrics

Outcomes

• Businesses:
  • Reduced operating costs (fuel savings, increased efficiency)
  • Expanded customer reach and improved customer satisfaction
• Riders:
  • Increased income and stable jobs in the green economy
  • Skill development and potential career progression
• City-Wide:
  • Measurable decrease in transport-related emissions
  • Reduced traffic congestion (over the long term)
  • Data insights to inform better infrastructure and policy

Impact: Our Vision

• Thriving Local Economies: Businesses of all sizes empowered by green, cost-effective logistics
• Cleaner, Healthier Cities: Reduced air and noise pollution, improved public health
• A Model for Africa: ZELO's success catalyzes a shift towards sustainable, equitable urban development across the continent.

Evidence & Assumptions

• Pilot Data: Metrics from our proof-of-concept (fuel savings, rider income)
• Market Research: Understanding the true cost barriers and the potential size of the SME market for our solution
• Global Trends: Growing focus on sustainable logistics and government incentives for EVs
• Assumptions:
  • Businesses are receptive to new technology and prioritize sustainability where feasible
  • Sufficient rider interest in the formal green economy

Continuous Improvement

• Robust Data Collection: Tracking emissions reductions, cost savings, and rider well-being metrics
• Partnerships for Deeper Insights: Collaborate with universities or research institutes to analyze the long-term impact on emissions and city planning
• Iterative Approach: Adapt the platform and our expansion model based on feedback and real-world results

Greenfoot Africa's mission directly aligns with several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth - Empowering individuals through income generation and supporting small business development.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities - Reducing transport emissions, improving air quality, and reimagining urban mobility.

• SDG 13: Climate Action - Providing a tangible, scalable solution to climate change mitigation within the African context.

Here's how we've defined our key impact goals and the metrics we'll use to track our progress:

Goal 1: Democratizing Sustainable Transport

• Target: Reduce carbon dioxide emissions from urban deliveries by 25% within five years in our initial launch city.

• Metrics

  • Total kilometers traveled by ZELO electric cargo bikes.

  • Estimated greenhouse gas emissions mitigated by comparing ZELO bike usage to replaced traditional vehicles.

  • Conduct baseline and periodic emissions monitoring in collaboration with city authorities.

Goal 2:  Unlocking Economic Opportunity and Uplifting Communities

• Target: Create 1000 new, stable jobs in the green logistics sector within five years.

• Metrics:

  • Number of active riders registered on the ZELO platform.

  • Average deliveries completed by a ZELO rider per week, demonstrating consistent work availability.

  • Track rider income growth, comparing pre and post-enrollment on the platform, highlighting improved livelihoods.

Goal 3: Enabling Businesses of All Sizes to Thrive

• Target: Increase delivery capacity for 200 small and medium-sized businesses by 40% while reducing their logistics costs by 30% within three years.

• Metrics:

  • Number of businesses actively adopting the ZELO platform.

  • Track pre/post statistics on deliveries completed per week by enrolled businesses.

  • Measure pre and post fuel/transport costs for enrolled businesses.

  • Customer satisfaction surveys to gauge the broader impact on business operations and customer service.

Data-Driven, Impact-Focused

We commit to:

• Transparency: Regularly publishing 'Impact Reports' on our website and sharing them with stakeholders.

• Partnerships: Collaborating with research institutions to deepen our understanding of urban logistics challenges and track long-term emissions trends within our target cities.

• Continual Improvement: Using the collected data to refine our technology, rider support programs, and expansion strategies to maximize our positive impact.

The Vision

Greenfoot Africa's vision extends beyond individual metrics. We seek to catalyze a fundamental shift towards inclusive, sustainable economies in Africa, where economic growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

Key Considerations:

• I've chosen a five-year timeframe for the larger goals to show ambition while being realistic about growth.

• The SDGs offer a vast array of indicators. I've focused on the most relevant to Greenfoot Africa's core mission.

The Tech Backbone of Greenfoot Africa's ZELO Platform

1. Purpose-built Electric Cargo Bikes: Designed for Africa, Inspired by Tradition

• Beyond Standard E-Bikes: While the concept of an electric cargo bike isn't novel, our bikes are the result of deep engagement with the African context. They draw upon the tradition of human-powered transport solutions, optimized for the 21st century.

• Power & Range: Swappable batteries, robust motors, and a 80+ km target range calculated based on real-world delivery patterns within African cities. This maximizes daily utilization and eliminates downtime.

• Payload & Maneuverability: We prioritize a load capacity of up to 300kgs for diverse deliveries, combined with a nimble frame for navigating markets and narrow residential streets.

• Resilient Engineering: ZELO bikes use components chosen for rough roads, climates ranging from arid to tropical, and low-maintenance needs (minimizing tech skill barriers for riders).
  
  

2. Fleet Management Software: Intelligent Logistics, African Context

• Hyper-Local Route Optimization: Algorithms aren't just about distance. They factor in real-time traffic (where data exists), local road conditions gleaned from rider feedback, and even weather to maximize efficiency and rider safety .

• Seamless Operations: Live delivery tracking for businesses, rider-app with clear directions, and an admin dashboard for efficient fleet monitoring. Designed for user-friendliness across technical literacy levels.

• Predictive Maintenance: Monitoring bike usage to preemptively suggest servicing, preventing breakdowns and maximizing the time bikes generate revenue.

• Data for Good: Anonymized data collected on delivery patterns can be a powerful tool for city planners, optimizing cycling infrastructure and informing EV adoption policies.
  
  

3. Rider Job Matching Platform: Connecting the Human Network

• Inclusive Focus: Built with diverse rider communities in mind. The app is designed to functions in local languages, with minimal text-reliance to overcome literacy barriers.

• Fair and Flexible: Job allocation balances equitable income opportunities with options for riders to choose full-time or part-time work schedules.

• Going Beyond Matching: The platform allows riders to build profiles showcasing their experience and reliability. This fosters a sense of community and facilitates future growth within the green logistics space.

Continuous Innovation with a Human-Centric Approach

Our in-house development team prioritizes:

• Feedback Loops: Riders and businesses are partners in shaping the platform. We'll incorporate regular usability surveys and qualitative input.

• Modular Design: This allows integration of future tech enhancements (improved batteries, IoT sensors) without disrupting the core user experience.

• Ethical Data Use: Transparency on how rider and logistics data is collected, stored, and used in ways that benefit the entire ZELO ecosystem.

The Greenfoot Advantage

We don't deploy technology for its own sake. Our innovation lies in seamlessly blending tech with a deep understanding of African markets, the informal logistics sector, and the human element that powers any successful solution.

• Full-time staff: 2
• Part-time staff (Administration): 1
• Part-time staff (Local Manufacturing): 2
• Contractors (Local Manufacturing): 4
• Contractors (Riders): 5 

We have been working on our solution for the past two and a half (2.5) years, beginning June 2021.

Our Approach: Acknowledging Where We Are and Striving for More

• Current Team: A Foundation to Build Upon Our current team reflects on the inclusive nature and adaptability of our company. Its core team is made up of a Wildlife Management graduate turned Industrial designer and a Human Resource Management graduate turned mechanical engineer, and this was only possible through an environment that recognizes potential from all areas of life.
• Beyond Numbers: True diversity for us isn't just about numbers. It's about fostering an environment where different perspectives actively shape decision-making and innovation.
• Local Context Matters: DEI practices developed in the Global North can't be simply copy-pasted to the African context. Our efforts will be informed by understanding how local factors such as ethnicity, language, and access to education intersect with creating an inclusive workplace.

Actionable Commitments

1. Expanding Our Leadership Pipeline:

• Mentorship & Training: We will create programs that help develop high-potential team members from underrepresented backgrounds, preparing them to take on leadership positions within Greenfoot Africa.
• Proactive Recruitment: Partner with universities, workforce development programs, and women-in-tech initiatives specifically aimed at reaching beyond our usual networks when hiring for senior roles.

1. An Inclusive Workplace for All

• Anti-Bias Training: We will engage an external expert to help us identify and address unconscious biases in our hiring, promotion, and day-to-day interactions. This training will be ongoing, not a one-off event.
• Focus on Riders: The rider community is the heart of ZELO. Our platform must be designed with their input. We will conduct regular surveys, focus groups, and ensure riders have a voice in how ZELO evolves.
• Zero Tolerance: We will have clear policies against discrimination and harassment, with transparent reporting mechanisms and accountability measures.

1. Accountability & Transparency

• Data as a DEI Tool: We'll track team demographics (anonymized) over time to see if representation shifts, especially in leadership.
• No False Narratives: We will be honest in our external communications about where we are on this DEI journey, highlighting both successes and areas needing improvement. This fosters trust and sets realistic expectations.
• Collaboration for Growth: We will actively seek out partnerships with organizations in the African entrepreneurship space who are leading the way in DEI best practices. This will help us avoid reinventing the wheel and become part of a broader change.

Why This Matters for Our Mission

• A Just Transition: Addressing climate change cannot come at the expense of equity. ZELO is about creating a green economy that works for everyone, especially those historically marginalized.
• Better Solutions: Diverse teams build more robust products. ZELO Platform designed by and for the full spectrum of our community will have a greater impact.
• Blueprint for a Better Future: We aim to show that an African tech company can prioritize social impact alongside commercial success. That includes leading by example in building an inclusive workplace.

Greenfoot Africa tackles the challenge of urban logistics with a unique multi-faceted business model that prioritizes both social impact and financial sustainability. We offer a win-win solution to riders/fleet operators, local businesses, and the environment through ZELO platform.

Key Customers:

• Urban Logistics Service Providers (LSPs): These include both independent operators and business (Fleet) operators looking for more cost-effective and financially rewarding solutions.
• Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Businesses in urban areas in need of an affordable, reliable, and eco-friendly way to transport goods locally. These include FMCG distributors, e-commerce shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and B2B businesses.
• E-Commerce & Large-Scale Delivery Companies: We partner with established players to optimize their last-mile logistics using ZELO bikes, benefiting from our efficiency and local reach.

How We Provide Value

• ZELO Platform: It's not just about the bikes. Our value is in the integrated solution:
  • Rental Model: Removes the upfront cost barrier, making EVs accessible to individuals and small businesses. Lease plans offer flexibility.
  • Fleet Management Software: Allows logistics service providers to track deliveries, optimize routes, and gain insights into their logistics efficiency.
  • Rider Matching: Businesses don't need to manage their own riders or vehicles. ZELO's pool of trained riders offers on-demand delivery capacity.

Why They Choose Us

• Urban Logistics Service Providers:
  • Easy of adoption: Through an affordable rental model
  • Reduced operating costs with an electric cargo bike that costs up to 70% less to operate compared to petrol-powered alternatives.
  • Increased delivery capacity with a purpose-built electric cargo bike that can carry a load of up to 300kg.
  • Assured access to jobs with a rider-job matching system.
• SMEs:
  • Reduced operating costs: Significant savings in logistics costs compared to their current approaches.
  • Increased delivery capacity: Expanding their customer reach without establishing their own logistics fleet.
  • Environmental Responsibility: Keep their carbon footprint low and attract customers who value sustainability.
• Larger Partners:
  • Our tech and rider network increases their last-mile efficiency in densely populated urban areas.
  • Positive brand association by collaborating on green deliveries.

Revenue Streams

• Bike Rental Fees: Businesses pay a recurring fee depending on the lease term (daily, weekly, monthly) and bike capacity or features.
• Commission Fees: A 30% commission fee is charged on completed orders through the rider job matching system.
• Premium Software Features: Our future roadmap includes subscription tiers for advanced analytics and predictive service delivery tools.

Balancing Impact & Financial Sustainability

• Affordability Is Key: Pricing is competitive with traditional fuel-based deliveries. We focus on long-term customer relationships, not maximizing short-term profit.
• Impact on Riders and Operators: ZELO offers stable income exceeding the informal sector. This creates a win-win: reliable delivery for businesses and economic upliftment.
• Sustainable Growth: Revenue offsets manufacturing/assembly costs, software development, and operational expenses. Profitability allows us to scale into new cities and refine the platform.

Greenfoot Africa recognizes that long-term impact relies on a sound revenue model that goes beyond initial grants or seed funding. Here's our multi-pronged strategy:

1. Core Revenue Streams: Proven During our proof of concept and initial platform tests with customers.

• Bike Rentals: Flexible lease plans (daily, weekly, monthly) ensure affordability for a range of customers. During our 18-month proof of concept and current testing of our prototypes, we are seeing a consistent rental demand. This recurring income makes our model predictable.

• Delivery Commissions: The 30% commission per completed delivery aligns our success with our business customers. Continuing business with customers like Greenlight Planet (Sunking) demonstrates the value.

2. Scaling Up for Increased Revenue

• Volume is Key: Our current fleet size is limited. As we invest in expanded manufacturing/assembly, increased bike rentals directly translate into greater revenue. We have a waitlist of businesses eager to switch to ZELO, demonstrating market demand.

• City Expansion: Our model is designed to be replicated in other East African cities with similar urban density and logistical challenges. Each new city represents a new revenue stream.

3. Evolving Additional Revenue Channels

• Premium Software Features: Our roadmap includes advanced analytics tools specifically targeted at optimizing logistics for large businesses. This opens up a potential subscription-based income stream.

• Micro-Fulfillment Services: Charging for temporary storage of goods in situations where it makes business and efficiency sense.

• Strategic Data Partnerships: While privacy is paramount, anonymized data on deliveries could be invaluable to city governments and researchers. We'll explore ethical revenue models with a focus on long-term partnerships.

Evidence of Our Model's Viability

• Proof-of-Concept Metrics: While early-stage, we have hard data on rental income, commission generated, and the cost savings businesses experienced – this gives us a baseline to build realistic projections.

• Investor Interest: We have secured a total of 86,000 USD in funding combining Grants, Loans, and Angel Investment, demonstrating that investors see the potential in our market-driven solution tailored to Africa's needs.

• Building Partner Trust: Greenlight Planet (Sunking) one of the global leaders in consumer solar solutions has expressed strong interest in continuing to use ZELO for their local distribution once we scale up. This qualitative endorsement is crucial for expansion.

Why Sustainable Growth Matters

• Reinvestment in Impact: Profit isn't just an end goal, it's the means to further refine the ZELO platform, reach underserved riders, and collect the data that will influence green urban policy.

• Private Sector Leadership: We aim to prove that you can build a successful African tech company prioritizing social impact. This attracts more impact investors to the space.

• Mitigating Grant Dependency: While initial grants are vital, relying solely on philanthropy limits our agility. A strong revenue model empowers us to respond rapidly to market needs and opportunities.

Transparency & Adaptability

We will be transparent about our financial progress, share metrics with supporters, and refine our model based on real-world results. This builds trust and fosters collaboration.