Volkswagen Group Africa has announced the start of operations of its multifunctional facility to pilot modern farming with e-tractors in Africa. The facility is in Gashora, Rwanda, about 60 km from the capital, Kigali.
The GenFarm Project is a holistic ecosystem of e-powered mechanised farming service for rural areas in Africa that is reliable, sustainable and environmentally friendly. It also provides mobility services for transporting goods and people.
In June 2023, Volkswagen Group Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rwanda to provide land for the establishment of the GenFarm Project.
“We are growing our footprint in Africa and regard Rwanda as a key growth market. This project demonstrates our commitment to sustainable practices and highlights our ability to provide mobility solutions to the rural community in addition to the urban community currently serviced by our Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda business.
The GenFarm Project fosters technological innovation and aligns with Volkswagen Group’s strategy to generate meaningful value for both society and the environment through sustainable mobility,” said Martina Biene, Volkswagen Group Africa Chairperson and Managing Director.
The GenFarm Project is piloted in Rwanda in partnership with Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda and Volkswagen Group Innovation Centre Europe. The Empowerment Hub (e-Hub), currently a pre-Hub built around specifically equipped standard containers while in the initial phase, will be a key component of the GenFarm.
Preparation for the construction of the actual e-Hub is underway and it is expected to be operational by the first half of 2025. Equipped with photovoltaic power system and the energy storage system, the e-Hub will supply clean energy, storage space and business space to cooperatives. This includes space for their service operations, e-tractor services and e-scooter services. Volkswagen Group Africa facilitates the stakeholder steering committee and reviews post pilot expansion possibilities.
Volkswagen Group Innovation Centre Europe supplies the e-tractors and provides equipment for the project from Wolfsburg in Germany while Volkswagen Mobile Solutions Rwanda is the catalyst in operating the pilot hub and provides input and support to the operations.
In a true spirit of celebration and support, Toyota fans and members of Toyota, Lexus and the Hino dealer network will gather at the OR Tambo International Airport tomorrow (Wednesday, 22 January) to welcome back the 2025 Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Dakar Rally Team.
With more than two decades of experience in the automotive retail sector and 11 years in the banking sector, Riyaaz Slarmie, Dealer Principal at GWM and BYD in Woodmead, is a go-getter driven by a genuine passion for people and success.
Great Wall Motor Company is kicking off the new year with its long-awaited new model, the GWM Haval H7. The new model will join the existing Haval range consisting of the Jolion, Haval H6 and the Haval H6 GT.
Advertisement
Advertisement
If you are not taking care of your customer, your competitor will.
Bob Hooey
When the first motorised vehicle, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen arrived in 1885, people in general did not take it too seriously. It was not considered as an alternative to the trusted horse, horse cart or family-size horse carriage.
Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) welcomes the signing of the 150% tax incentive for electric and hydrogen-powered vehicle manufacturers into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa. This follows a year of advocacy by CHARGE for government incentives to fast-track South Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) transition.
Stellantis and Zeta Energy Corporation announced a joint development agreement aimed at advancing battery-cell technology for electric vehicle applications.
