AfroSmartSpot @ Príncipe Island – Sustainable Mobility

The Opportunity

The Autonomous Region of Príncipe has unique conditions to establish itself as a reference territory for sustainability and climate action, benefiting from its status as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a regional strategy oriented towards carbon neutrality.

The transport sector is one of the main challenges for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, electric mobility is an opportunity to promote more sustainable transport solutions and to strengthen the island’s tourism appeal.

Our Approach

The intervention was based on developing and testing an integrated electric mobility solution adapted to the island’s territorial characteristics, combining light electric vehicles, autonomous solar-powered charging systems and local maintenance and technical support mechanisms, involving public bodies, tourism operators, local communities and regional technicians.

Impact

The project helped to introduce innovative sustainable mobility solutions in the Autonomous Region of Príncipe, supporting the region’s decarbonisation goals and positioning Príncipe as a pilot territory for the implementation of electric mobility solutions in small island states.

Results

As a result of the implementation, 14 electric bicycles were made available, placed with tourism operators, hotels and the regional government, helping to boost the local economy and to promote low-carbon transport solutions.

The intervention also included the installation of 3 off-grid charging stations, the setting up of a bicycle workshop and the training of 16 local technicians, creating the conditions needed to operate, maintain and later expand these solutions.