Sudan’s electric rickshaws cut costs and help the environment

Workers assembling electric tuk-tuks at al-Shehab factory in the Sudanese capital’s northern district of Khartoum-Bahri, recently. Photos: AFP

Sudanese entrepreneur Mohamed Samir watches proudly as workers assemble garishly coloured rickshaws, unique in the North African nation because they run on electricity in a bid to tackle soaring costs.

In Sudan, three-wheeler vehicles – tuk-tuk rickshaws for passengers, and motorbike tricycles with a trailer attached for carrying goods – have long been a popular and affordable transport. Tens of thousands ply the streets of the capital Khartoum alone.