The NZ entrepreneur greening Rwanda's public transport

NZ foreign affairs minister Nanaia Mahuta, Ampersand staff and officials in Kigali, Rwanda with the company's electric motorcycle. (Image: Ampersand)

Greg Hurrell

Fri, 12 Aug 2022

When foreign affairs minister Nanaia Mahuta visited Rwanda in June, she had one extra official duty, cutting the ribbon at a trailblazing local business founded by New Zealander, Josh Whale.Ampersand manufactures electric motorcycles in Kigali aimed at the 5 million-strong market of motorcycle taxi drivers in East Africa. Not only does the company help cut emissions, but it also boosts driver income and operates a network of 13 quick-change battery stations in Kigali and Nairobi.Mahuta formally opened a Kigali battery swap station, built with f...

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