Agreement Signed for Deployment of Electric Motorbikes in Lagos

By: Michael Mike

Swap Station Mobility Limited has signed partnership agreement with Glovo and Siltech World to deploy electric motorbikes, smart swappable batteries, and a network of quick interchange stations across Lagos State.

The Partnership will provide Glovo couriers with 2-wheel electric motorbikes that offer lower cost, clean mobility alternative to the internal combustion engine (ICE).

The Electric Vehicles (EVs) are provided on a lease-to-own model whilst also offering riders a unique “pay as you ride” or “weekly subscription” to access SSM’s battery swap and charging facilities, technical support and cover for insurance, licensing, and routine maintenance services. In order to increase adoption, Swap Station intends to build out a network of solar powered automated quick interchange battery stations along major demand routes and logistics bases starting in Lagos and surrounding states over the next twenty-four months.

Blackaion Capital and FundCo Capital Managers who are the co-sponsors of Swap Station Mobility, believe the operational cost of battery swapping per kilometre (km) will remain substantially lower than the fuel cost per km for the ICE counterpart. “This is the main value driver which has been catalysed by the Federal Government’s near elimination of fuel subsidies.

The products developed or distributed by Swap Station are designed to exceed the performance of petrol alternatives whilst significantly improving CO2 emissions, local air quality, and cost efficiency for users over the life of the asset,” said the Director at Swap Station and Partner at Blackaion Capital, Obiora Okoye,

Okwu Njoku who sits on the Board went on to say, “We are very excited about signing with Glovo who operate one of the most prolific food delivery platforms in Nigeria. Our EVs and swappable batteries are in-country, and Siltech World, one of our key technology and technical partners, supported us with the procurement, testing, and certification of the EVs, and so, we are now ready to start operations. We plan to spend the next few months securing additional swap locations, building our technology platform, and expanding our team.”

Abiodun Oni, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FundCo Capital Managers, and former Regional Sales Director, Energy, for Tesla, stated, “e-mobility is critical to our sustainable infrastructure investment strategy, and this agreement with our partners enables us to kick start that process”.

On his part, Head of Operations at Glovo, Ify Adah stated, “ By 2030, our goal is to have about half of our orders delivered by non-combustion vehicles. So, we are very excited and look forward to working with Swap Station, and supporting our couriers with cleaner and more cost-effective transport solutions.”

Swap Station is an integrated EV financing and battery charging infrastructure development company that has built a business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) platform that provides access to electric 2-wheel and 3-wheel vehicles, swap station infrastructure, swappable batteries, and a hub for repairs and maintenance services to fleet owners, businesses, and users operating in the logistics and last mile connectivity in Nigeria.

Blackaion Capital is a West Africa focused infrastructure advisor, developer, and asset manager with offices in Lagos, Abuja, and Mauritius. Blackaion’s mission is to create exceptional long-term value for all stakeholders by developing and capitalising tech-enabled and climate-friendly infrastructure projects and companies.

FundCo is a specialised Alternative Asset Manager for sustainable infrastructure-related funds across critical economic sectors. These are selected industries providing essential services to the society, with domestic geographic diversity, have secure cash flows, are recession resilient, and ideally, offer some inflation protection. FundCo is duly registered with and licensed by Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a portfolio/fund manager in line with the SEC rules.

Agreement Signed for Deployment of Electric Motorbikes in Lagos

Nwoke Advises ECOWAS Court, National Courts on Resolving Disconnect

By: Michael Mike

A former Vice President of the ECOWAS Court, Prof. Friday Nwoke has advocated a triple approach towards resolving the disconnect between the Court and the national courts of the Member States, which have an important role in the enforcement of the decisions of the regional court.

In a paper presented at the ongoing 2024 international conference of the Court in Freetown, Nwoke suggested that the Court should focus on such measures as training for officials of national courts, workshops and meetings with the sole objective of facilitating cooperation as these will impact positively on compliance and the enforcements of the judgements of the Court.

Nwoke, whose presentation was under the sub theme “Enhancing the role, relevance of the ECOWAS Court through strengthened synergy with the national courts of Member States,” stressed the importance of regular dialogue and cooperation between the Court and the national courts which will require exchange of information, case law and best practices to build mutual trust and respect.

He also urged Member States to revise their legal framework to incorporate provisions that recognize and enforce the decisions of the ECOWAS Court of justice, which will require aligning national laws with the ECOWAS Treaty and ensuring that national courts have the necessary legal tools to enforce the judgments of the regional court.

Nwoke also suggested that Member States enact legislation to recognize and enforce the judgments of the Court while the ECOWAS Commission and political actors, such as the Council of Ministers and the Authority of Heads of State and Government, should also be involved in the enforcement mechanism for decisions of the Court.

Other recommendations made by the presenter includes the creation of a monitoring unit with responsibility for monitoring and supervising the enforcement, a provision for an annual reporting of the level of enforcement of the judgements of the Court.

He noted that while the Court enjoys the respect of Member States, the continued non-compliance with its decisions could undermine public confidence while characterising the Court’s independence, boldness, and impartiality as key to its credibility.

He emphasized that strengthening the enforcement mechanism is essential to maintaining its effectiveness and ensuring compliance in good faith by member states.

The 2024 conference, which is being attended by 250 participants, is being held under the theme Enhancing the Role, Relevance and Effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice through the Strengthening of Synergies between the Court and National Stakeholders.

Nwoke Advises ECOWAS Court, National Courts on Resolving Disconnect

Army troops gun down Mallam Muhammad, ISWAP Commander incharge of VBIED

By: Zagazola Makama

The troops of Operation Desert Sanity III, Operation Hadin Kai have nutrialised Mallam Muhammad, ISWAP top Commander in-charge of Vehicle Bomb Improvised Explosive Device(VBEID) in Sambisa Forest.

Muhammadu was nutrialised on May 14 after the made gradual but unprecedented incursions into the insurgents’ dens in Ukuba and Njimia in Bama Local Government Area.

The terrorists kingpin operate a major fabrication workshop where he made Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device(PBVIED) Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosives Device(VBIED) Road Side Borne Improvised Explosive Device(RSBIED).

Muhammadu had sent many under age children into suicide bombing after conscripting them into believing that when they died they will go to heaven. Among those that he used as human bombs were his three children.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops also intercepted a vehicle that was already armed with explosive which was designed to target advancing troops.

Despite the obvious challenges of difficult terrain, IED threats the troops continue to maintain the momentum, remaining focused and determined to pursue and decimate the fleeing terrorists.

Army troops gun down Mallam Muhammad, ISWAP Commander incharge of VBIED