Transport mobility in Ghana, India, and Nigeria [GIN Therapy Part 2]

In the first instalment of this three-part Series, I ‘weaved’ – literally – a narrative presenting Ghana first, then India, and Nigeria in what I dubbed the “GIN (Ghana, India, Nigeria) Therapy.” In that piece I acknowledged and part-celebrated Ghana’s official Geographic Indication (GI) status for Kente cloth, a protected status granted in 2025.

In this second instalment, the focus shifts to Transport Mobility… and especially 3-wheelers. Three-wheeled vehicles offer a distinctive blend of open-air riding and enhanced stability, but they also demand attentive, practiced control. By understanding their types, recognizing how they differ from motorcycles, and applying safe handling techniques, operators can reduce risk and enjoy their vehicles responsibly. Knowledge, practice, and respect for limitations remain the foundation of safe and satisfying three-wheel riding. The market seems fragmented between 2-3 wheelers and 4-wheeled vehicles, as well the blurred lines between Indigenous and international partnerships especially as far as components suppliers are concerned.

Electric Vehicle Adoption in Ghana: Emerging Insights and Contextual Realities

The transition toward electric mobility in Ghana remains in its formative stage, shaped by infrastructural gaps, policy evolution, and deep-rooted transport behaviours. While studies such as Ackaah, Menson, and Mensah (2025) document the technical and infrastructural dimensions of EV use, particularly the constraints posed by limited charging infrastructure, Dodoo, Dankyi, and Dankyi (2025) provide essential contextual grounding by exploring the socio-economic and behavioural realities of Ghana’s transport ecosystem.

Dodoo et al. (2025) investigate the widespread use of tricycles (“motor kings”) for commercial transportation, revealing how affordability, accessibility, and livelihood imperatives drive their adoption. These insights underscore that transport decisions in Ghana are often pragmatic and survival-driven, rather than environmentally motivated. Consequently, the study suggests that any national shift toward electric mobility must account for existing informal and low-cost transport systems, integrating them rather than displacing them. Electric tricycles and other small-scale EVs, for instance, could serve as transitional technologies bridging economic necessity and sustainability. Complementing this, Ackaah et al. (2025) highlight how inadequate charging infrastructure restricts EV mobility, particularly outside urban centres, while calling for integrated policy responses that align EV strategies with energy and urban planning.

In summing up, EV adoption in Ghana cannot be understood or advanced in isolation from the broader socio-transport realities captured by Dodoo et al. (2025). Sustainable mobility must engage with the informal transport economy, prioritize inclusive policy design, and ensure infrastructural readiness. Ghana’s pathway to e-mobility, therefore, lies not only in technological provision but in aligning innovation with the lived experiences of its transport users. Lessons from other African nations further reinforce the importance of coherent policy, renewable energy integration, and fiscal incentives. Before considering another African rising story (Nigeria) let’s first consider the Indian experience as laid out in the GIN (Ghana, India, Nigeria) scheduling.

India Powers Ahead as the World’s Largest Electric Three-Wheeler Market

India has officially cemented its place as the world’s largest electric three-wheeler market—and it is holding that title for the second year in a row. In 2024 alone, sales jumped by nearly 20 percent, reaching an impressive 700,000 units and accounting for a record 57 percent of all three-wheelers sold in the country.

According to a 2024 article “India Is Now the Biggest Electric 3-Wheeler Market in the World”, India’s electric three-wheeler industry is not just growing – it is transforming the way the country moves. Here’s a quick snapshot of the market’s performance in 2024: Record sales: Nearly 700,000 electric three-wheelers sold, up 20 percent from 2023. Rising market share – EVs now make up 57 percent of all three-wheelers, compared to 53 percent the previous year. Fastest transition – Among all vehicle types, three-wheelers are leading the charge in switching to electric mobility.

So, what is driving this rapid shift toward electric mobility? What’s Fuelling the Growth?

A mix of strong government support, cost efficiency, and rising environmental awareness is propelling India’s electric three-wheeler revolution. Several powerful forces are driving this surge in adoption – notably government support, lower running costs, and regulatory.

Government support – Initiatives like the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme have reduced upfront costs through subsidies, making EVs more accessible for small business owners and drivers. Lower running costs – Electric three-wheelers are not only cleaner but also cheaper to operate than their internal combustion engine (ICE) and CNG counterparts. Environmental push – With air quality becoming a growing concern, more people are choosing zero-emission vehicles for last-mile delivery and passenger transport. Regulatory boost – Some regions are restricting new ICE three-wheeler registrations, giving electric models a clear edge.

When it comes to state-level performance, Uttar Pradesh continues to dominate electric three-wheeler sales, closely followed by Bihar. These regions have become the heartbeat of India’s electric mobility story. And it is not just consumers driving the change – major players like Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, Bajaj Auto, Saera Electric Auto, and Piaggio Vehicles are investing heavily in innovation and expanding their electric portfolios.

Three Wheels, A Thousand Stories: India’s Iconic Tuk-Tuk Ride

In the symphony of Indian street life where horns blare, colours blur, and humanity moves in rhythmic chaos few icons embody the country’s pulse as vividly as the tuk-tuk. Known locally as the auto-rickshaw, this three-wheeled motorised vehicle is far more than a means of getting from one place to another. It is a cultural symbol, an economic lifeline, and for travellers, a gateway to understanding India’s restless, beating heart.

In the swirl of India’s city-streets, among honking cars, motorcycles, cows ambling through intersections, and the steady churn of human-traffic, one vehicle both stands out and blends in: the three-wheeled motorised rickshaw — often called the “tuk-tuk.” Whether you are a local commuter or a foreign visitor, a ride in a tuk-tuk offers more than just transportation; it offers a fragment of life as lived in Indian towns and cities.

Riding Through Chaos: Discovering India by Tuk-Tuk 

Few sounds capture India quite like the rhythmic buzz of a tuk-tuk weaving through traffic. Known locally as the auto-rickshaw, this three-wheeled marvel is more than a mode of transport – It is a slice of everyday India on wheels. For locals, tuk-tuks are indispensable, bridging the gap between home, work, and public transport. For travellers, they are an open window into the country’s sights, smells, and sounds. The ride may be bumpy, the traffic wild, but the experience is authentic. With no barriers between you and the street, you feel the city’s pulse – the laughter of shopkeepers, the aroma of roadside tea, and the colour of life rushing past.

Tuk-tuks also represent the spirit of Indian ingenuity. They are affordable, adaptable, and everywhere – from Delhi’s chaotic boulevards to Jaipur’s pink lanes. Drivers often double as guides, storytellers, or negotiators, turning every short trip into a social exchange.

Over the years, the tuk-tuk has evolved from simple transport to a symbol of adventure. Global travellers now race them across India in challenges like the Rickshaw Run, celebrating the joy of unpredictability that defines the nation itself. The tuk-tuk is more than a ride – it is a journey through India’s heart. Every honk, turn, and gust of wind tells a story. To travel by tuk-tuk is to travel not just across distance, but through culture, connection, and the very soul of the streets.

India’s electric revolution is here, and the humble three-wheeler is leading the charge. 

In summing up, the tuk-tuk in India is more than a fun ride. It is a microcosm of Indian mobility: the throbbing street life, the informal hustle, the adaptive transport solutions, the mix of convenience and chaos. If you take one, do so with your eyes open: agree the fare, hold onto your valuables, lean into the ride, and treat every bump as part of the story. With strong policy backing, growing infrastructure, and increasing public interest, India’s electric three-wheeler market shows no signs of slowing down. What began as a quiet shift toward cleaner mobility has evolved into a nationwide movement—one that is setting an example for the rest of the world.

Transport (Im)Mobility in Nigeria

Finally, in the case of Nigeria,  I’ll keep the talk short and sweet, as this has been previously covered. As I pointed out in “The Three Musketeers: Emerging Electric Mobility Solutions in Nigeria”, the transportation sector in that country is at the cusp of a clean mobility revolution. The combination of rising fuel costs, sustainability imperatives, and growing technological adoption is driving innovation in both corporate and public transport. With May 2025 marking Bolt’s first foray into Nigeria’s EV tricycle segment – Bolt expanded its footprint in Nigeria by introducing 25 electric tricycles in Lagos, in partnership with SGX Mobility – complementing its existing operations in cities like Jos and Uyo. I summed up by acknowledging that Bolt’s initiative reflects a measured but forward-looking approach, balancing sustainability goals with economic realities for low-income drivers.

In 2025 transport “immobility” in Nigeria became a thing of the past – with the introduction of electric mobility solutions that promise to redefine how Nigerians commute and how organizations manage staff mobility. Notably, Janus Cleantech’s dual approach – transport plus energy – positions it as both a mobility provider and an energy enabler, directly addressing Nigeria’s challenges around energy poverty and fuel dependency.

All of these set the tone for the last instalment of the “3Ts” Treatise in my GIN Therapy series, and guess what? It is full of smoke as the emissions roll up the Tobacco business.

Keep your eyes peeled for the next episode, for now, I have my eyes wide shut.