Abidjan suffers as most large cities on the African continent from a lack of sufficient mobility solutions. The fast-growing middle class is increasingly using private cars or two-wheel vehicles which has led to huge problems of congestion.

When the largest city in Côte d’Ivoire decided to invest in a public transportation system; with the aim of reducing congestion and getting closer to sustainable urban mobility goals, Scania positioned itself as a preferred partner supported by Team Sweden and coordinated by Business Sweden. Most importantly, an engagement strategy was developed between Scania, Team Sweden and Cote d’Ivoire enabling high level key decision makers and the government to reach the goals.

The financial offer was supported by EKN and SEK while strategic communication and engagements were officially carried out by the Ambassador of Sweden. All efforts were coordinated by Business Sweden.

没有日博备用网站队的帮助, we might not even have been given the opportunity to present our solutions”, says Fredrik Morsing, senior advisor at Scania.

In Côte d’Ivoire, Scania’s solution will meet the government’s goal of establishing a modern network of public transport solutions by 2022, thus reducing the use of single carriage vehicles and the level of air pollution. In addition, Scania and its partners will supply a bus depot and extensive training to bus drivers and technicians. The project partners will also work on the development and implementation of local alternative fuel solutions to eventually achieve a fleet of buses that runs 100 per cent on biodiesel.

Biofuels have a positive impact both on local air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. If you compare a biogas engine to a diesel engine used in most African countries today, it will reduce local emissions by 90 per cent.在减少温室气体方面, biogas could also lead to reductions of up to 90 per cent in a well to wheel perspective. That is the total effect considering both production and use of the biofuel in comparison with a fossil fuel, 弗雷德里克·莫辛说道,并继续说道:  

However, the biggest game changer is not the fuel the buses we deliver will operate on, it is to get the growing population to stop using private cars. If you instead make people travel by a modern bus in an organised system, you take away more than 80 cars from the streets for every bus in operation. Our goal is to make sustainable transport a reality for all countries in the region”. 

Anthonia Adenaya Huard, 日博备用网站商业公司西非主管, says that transportation is a major pollutant in Africa and therefore an important challenge to tackle in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. She agrees with Fredrik Morsing that you must start by changing people’s behaviour.  

“Côte d’Ivoire is traditionally very individualistic in its modes of transportation. You take your bike, motorcycle, or car; it is considered safer, faster in some ways and more comfortable not waiting for a bus at a bus stop far away from home. That is why we also must promote sustainable infrastructural investments from a holistic perspective so that more countries can build roads, bus stops, bus depots and service facilities that will make communal transportation more attractive. And not the least provide training to bus drivers and technicians” 

Anthonia Adenaya Huard emphasises that the key to success in Cote d’Ivoire was collaboration, resulting in platforms for further engagement and opportunities for Swedish suppliers to build sustainable business partnerships, particularly within biofuel.  

“这是一种双赢的关系, emanating from Scania and their partners presenting great solutions for sustainable transport to working together with Team Sweden for the good of all businesses involved, the countries, the region and the world.” 

 

Challenge

经济增长的Côte科特迪瓦, rapid urbanisation and an underdeveloped public transport system, chose to invest in sustainable public transport.

Scania’s goal was to position itself as a strong partner and needed to evaluate the market conditions as well as to connect with local stakeholders and decision-makers.

Solution

Thanks to Business Sweden coordinating Team Sweden’s efforts on a strategic level and facilitating contacts with high-level decision-makers, Scania discovered business opportunities they did not know existed in West Africa.

Result

After many years of processing and hard work, Scania concluded a large bus project in Abidjan. 450 biofuel compatible buses in the Côte d’Ivoire will help improve public transportation and sustainable mobility.

Team Sweden was recognised as a valuable partner in supporting the country’s efforts to implement sustainable projects and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

ABOUT SCANIA 

Scania is a world leading provider of transport solutions, including trucks and buses for heavy transport applications combined with an extensive product-related service offering. 该公司还提供汽车融资, insurance, and rental services to enable customers to focus on their core business. Moreover, Scania is the leading provider of industrial and marine engines.  

With 50,000 employees, partners, 客户遍布约100个国家, Scania is driving the shift towards a sustainable transport system.