Firm Unveils Nigeria’s First Electric Tricycles With Power Supply Function

A Nigerian clean-tech firm, Janus Cleantech Solution Limited, has launched the country’s first electric tricycles capable of transporting people and goods while also supplying electricity to homes and small businesses. The tricycles, branded Ketekete (for passengers) and Ayoka (for cargo), are fitted with swappable Helia lithium batteries that can be recharged at Sunbread solar hubs. […]

A Nigerian clean-tech firm, Janus Cleantech Solution Limited, has launched the country’s first electric tricycles capable of transporting people and goods while also supplying electricity to homes and small businesses.

The tricycles, branded Ketekete (for passengers) and Ayoka (for cargo), are fitted with swappable Helia lithium batteries that can be recharged at Sunbread solar hubs. The company says the power generated is strong enough to run shops, cold storage facilities, and household appliances.

Speaking at the unveiling, co-founder Dr. Olushola Ogunniyi said the innovation was developed to address Nigeria’s twin challenges of fuel costs and unreliable electricity. “Every tricycle becomes a mobile power station. Riders earn more because they save on fuel, while families and traders can power their businesses directly from the same vehicle,” he explained.

Rising petrol prices have continued to eat deep into the earnings of traditional tricycle operators, leaving many struggling to make ends meet. At the same time, over 80 million Nigerians remain without regular electricity, making it difficult for farmers to preserve produce and for small traders to operate effectively.

Janus Cleantech’s Head of Partnerships, Mr. Charles Adigwe, highlighted the broader impact of the project on grassroots communities. “Our solution combines mobility and energy in a way that creates new opportunities. Each Sunbread hub deployed not only recharges batteries but also provides local electricity access,” he said.

The company outlined several socio-economic benefits of the innovation, including higher earnings for riders, reduced costs for farmers and traders, new employment opportunities for youth and women cooperatives, and improved community access to affordable energy. In addition, the electric tricycles are expected to contribute to cleaner air and reduced noise compared to petrol-powered alternatives.

Looking ahead, Janus Cleantech revealed plans to move from assembly into large-scale Nigerian production, with a proposed “Janus Gigafactory” to refine local lithium and manufacture batteries domestically.

The company, which focuses on electric mobility, swappable batteries, and solar-powered hubs, says its mission is to power everyday lives through mobility—transforming vehicles and hubs into micro-grids that sustain livelihoods and communities.