Senegal launches first all-electric bus rapid transit network
Senegal has become the latest African country to deploy electric buses.
The West African country debuted its first all-electric bus rapid transit network (BRT) on Wednesday.
Senegalese Prime Minister Amadou Ba stated at the inauguration ceremony that "this project is a very modern infrastructure, as well as a major innovation."
China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) built the Dakar BRT project, which spans 18.3 kilometres and includes 23 bus stations and three hub transfer stations.
China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation is supplying the all-electric buses for this project.
According to a government release, after the launch, travel time from Dakar's outskirts to the city centre would be cut in half, and urban mobility will be increased, according to Huang Fei, project manager of CRBC.
According to Huang, the project created 1,500 employment during construction and is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs once it is operational.
Senegal has joined Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in the ongoing African e-mobility competition with the project.
Rwanda recently signed an agreement with BasiGo and AC Mobility to launch electric buses in Kigali.
The introduction of electric buses comes as Africa's e-mobility race heats up.
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are also making significant strides in e-mobility, with companies manufacturing and importing electric vehicles in the region.