20 Nov, 24
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Taiwan’s Ambassador to Nigeria and Representative, Taipei Trade Office, Andy Yih-Ping Liu

Taiwan’s Chief of Mission to Nigeria, Andy Yih-ping Liu, has emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to leveraging its advanced technology to support Nigeria’s development goals.

Taiwan, he said, is renowned for high-tech innovation in information and e-mobility.

“President Bola Tinubu’s vision to make the South East of Nigeria the ‘Taiwan of Africa’ motivates us to strengthen trade and technological partnerships with Nigeria,” said Mr. Liu.

Liu spoke during the launching of an innovative battery-swapping service for electric motorbikes by AaraGO, a pioneering Nigerian green technology startup.

The bikes were manufactured by KYMCO, a renowned Taiwanese company with over 60 years of experience producing reliable two-wheelers.

The launch, held at Alliance Française in Ikoyi, Lagos, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and advance the energy transition from petrol to electricity.

The event was also held as part of the Green Mobility Summit: Electrify Lagos.

In addition, the event celebrated the inauguration of AaraGO’s first fully solar-powered battery-swapping solution, now operational at the NNPC Station on Alfred Rewane Road in Ikoyi.

This station enables seamless and sustainable energy access for riders, demonstrating the company’s commitment to off-grid solutions powered by renewable energy.

During the event, co-founder and CEO of AaraGO, Mr. Philip Handschin, highlighted the urgent need for sustainable transportation solutions considering Nigeria’s skyrocketing petrol prices.

“When we started AaraGO, petrol cost about N180 per litre. Two years on, it is N1,100, a staggering increase of over 520 per cent.”

This surge places immense financial pressure on motorbike riders and underscores the urgency to transition from petrol to sustainable electric mobility”, Mr. Handschin explained.

Immediate past chairman of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Olu Adeosun, who gave the keynote welcome address, emphasized AaraGO’s commitment to offering practical, sustainable transportation solutions.

“Nigeria has over five million motor bikes, many consuming five to seven liters of petrol daily, presenting a massive opportunity to transition to cleaner energy.

“The AaraGO solution is entirely off-grid, leveraging renewable energy to power transportation efficiently,” Adeosun, who is also a co-founder of AaraGO said.

AaraGO’s battery-swapping service is designed to make this transition seamless, he said, adding that the electric bikes, powered entirely by solar-charged batteries, are aimed to mitigate air pollution, enhance air quality, and reduce carbon emissions.

The Vice President of Business Development at Ionex/KYMCO, Margaret Ho, underlined the scalability and modularity of the technology and its potential to drive global sustainability.

“We are empowering riders globally with durable, long-lasting batteries,” she said, emphasizing KYMCO’s dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility.

“The partnership with KYMCO reflects AaraGO’s commitment to quality and reliability. With a legacy spanning over six decades, KYMCO is globally recognized for producing innovative and durable motorcycles, making them an ideal partner in advancing Nigeria’s e-mobility goals.”

The event, which underscored the importance of inter-nation collaboration in fostering green innovation concluded with a fireside chat hosted by Bankole Oloruntoba, CEO of Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), featuring Industry experts.

Attendees also explored an exhibition showcasing AaraGO’s innovative solutions and the robustness of KYMCO bikes.