Introduction

A transition to electric mobility is gradually taking place in several African countries and East Africa has become a hub for electric mobility innovation, with local companies developing business models aimed at filling gaps in transport services. In Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, start-ups are emerging that offer mobility services with electric two- and three-wheeler vehicles. However, to promote the electric mobility sector, appropriate policies, incentives and regulations need to be put in place to establish the right technologies in the country, support the electric mobility ecosystem and entrepreneurs, incentivise and provide tailor-made financing solutions to reduce initial costs and promote the uptake of electric mobility.

Tanzania represents an emerging Electric Vehicle (EV) market with considerable untapped opportunities. As the country develops, the demand for EV is expected to rise. A limited number of start-ups in the EV sector are present in Tanzania and various obstacles hinder their growth. This market is indeed still at a very early stage with low fleet sizes, limited number of entrepreneurs, lack of charging infrastructure, lack of technical knowledge on the maintenance and repairs of EVs, and absence of supportive policies and incentives. However, there is a will to gradually shift towards electric mobility. By supporting sustainable transport solutions and developing a holistic approach to e-mobility, Tanzania can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, making an important contribution to its climate goals and to a cleaner environment. 

The Global Gateway is a European Union initiative aimed at boosting smart, clean, and secure infrastructure, globally. It addresses major global challenges such as climate change, health, and the resilience of supply chains, while promoting high-quality infrastructure through sustainable, socially responsible, and environmentally sound investments. As part of the Global Gateway initiative, the EU in Tanzania is funding the Port of Dar Es Salaam - Trade and Transport Improvement Project. The objective of this project is that Tanzania's main trade and transport players improve their performance and provide more efficient and sustainable services to their customers in the port of Dar Es Salaam, in the city and along the port hinterland corridors. The project aims to enhance trade efficiency and sustainability, while supporting Tanzania's low-carbon transport system, for both goods and people, and ensuring a more competitive and interconnected regional economy. 

This project is structured around three key pillars:

• Pillar 1: Port Performance  – Improving efficiency and logistics at the Dar es Salaam Port to support seamless trade flows, address operational bottlenecks and enhance management and technical capacities.
• Pillar 2: Trade Facilitation  – Streamlining customs, clearance processes, and enhance regulatory frameworks to reduce trade costs.

• Pillar 3: E-Mobility  – Supporting the transition to low-carbon transport systems for a sustainable and eco-friendly future.

   

Objective

This proposed collaboration aims to conduct two practical electric mobility training programmes in Dar es Salaam: one targeting garage technicians and another tailored for students from Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions (TVETs) and universities. Both trainings will focus on developing hands-on skills and technical understanding of electric vehicle technologies, including 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers, as well as charging infrastructure, battery systems, and safety procedures.

Participants will acquire practical knowledge of electric vehicle (EV) systems, including the fundamentals of EV drivetrains and charging infrastructure. The training will also address key aspects of EV troubleshooting, repair and maintenance, battery diagnostics, and occupational safety and health. Learning will be reinforced through live demonstrations and interactive workshops led by experienced trainers.

By addressing both the current workforce and the next generation of technicians and engineers, the programme will help bridge Tanzania’s e-mobility skills gap, enhance employability, and build a strong foundation for the country’s transition to clean, modern transport solutions.

 

Expressions of interest

UN-Habitat invites Expressions of Interest from academic or research institutions; Not-for-Profit Organizations; Governmental and Inter-Governmental organizations to develop and deliver a practical training programme aimed at building the capacity of university and vocational students and garage technicians in Tanzania. The training will be carried out in close coordination with the Pillar 3 E-Mobility partners and should include, but not be limited to the following activities.

The Practical Electric Mobility Training Programme will include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Introduction to E-Mobility – Overview of the fundamentals of electric mobility, including key concepts, major EV brands, and global and local trends. The session will explore the environmental, economic, and social benefits of e-mobility, as well as the challenges affecting its adoption.

2. Electric Vehicles – Overview of the different types of electric vehicles (EVs), powertrains, motors, controllers, and power systems, including regenerative braking and diagnostic systems. The session will provide a detailed understanding of EV components and their operation, highlighting technological advancements and key differences in operation and maintenance between internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, light EVs, and electric buses.
3. EV Batteries – Comprehensive overview of battery chemistries, Battery Management Systems (BMS), charging cycles, and thermal management. The session will cover maintenance best practices, safety protocols, and emergency procedures, focusing on electric 2 and 3 wheelers.
4. Charging Infrastructure – Overview of AC and DC charger types, connector standards, and charging protocols. The session will cover grid connection planning, solar and energy integration options, high-power charging, installation procedures, operational management, billing systems, safety requirements, and troubleshooting of charging infrastructure.
5. EV Service, Maintenance, and Entrepreneurship – Hands-on training on maintenance tools, diagnostic procedures, servicing routines, and repair techniques for two- and three-wheelers. The session will also explore emerging business opportunities in EV repair, fleet servicing, and e-mobility entrepreneurship.

6. Safety, Standards, and Compliance – Covers low- and high-voltage safety, fire prevention, hazard management, compliance with EV standards, safe handling of batteries, and environmentally sustainable practices for electric two- and three-wheelers.

7. Policies and Regulations – Provides an overview of national and institutional frameworks, EV standards, legal regulations, incentives, and taxation. The session also explores public awareness strategies and policy considerations for electric mobility, with a focus on light vehicles and commercial transport fleets, offering students practical insights into the regulatory and institutional environment shaping the EV sector.

8. Practical Labs and Demonstrations – Hands-on exercises covering system identification, battery pack disassembly, vehicle and battery diagnostics, cell balancing, measurement of State of Health (SOH), and common repair and maintenance techniques. The sessions will include practical activities for two-, three-, and four-wheelers, as well as buses, to reinforce technical understanding and applied skills.

9. Monitoring and Evaluation – Tools and methods to assess learner knowledge and practical skills, including performance checklists, tests, peer reviews, and hands-on evaluations for two and three wheelers.

10. Training Roll-Out Planning – Developing actionable plans to implement e-mobility training, set up practical labs, integrate fleets of two, three, four wheelers and buses, engage industry partners, and ensure long-term sustainability.

 

The EOI should contain, but not be limited to the following:

1. Organizational Experience: A summary of relevant experience, especially in delivering technical trainings in e-mobility, sustainable transport, or related sectors, and highlighting previous work in Tanzania or similar contexts.
2. Conceptual Approach: A brief proposal describing your approach to designing and delivering the Practical Training to include:
3. Key modules and technical content
4. Methodologies (e.g., hands-on learning, blended training, assessments)
5. Digital tools and equipment to be used
6. Considerations for gender inclusion.
7. Risk analysis and mitigation strategies
8. Details of the proposed team members and their qualifications in technical training in e-mobility or green mobility
9. Indicative timeframe for training modules and delivery, and your institution’s availability.
10. An indication of estimated budget and resource requirements.
11. The support/ contribution the organization is willing to make including cash and in-kind (In-kind contribution refers to the provision of goods, services, or other tangible or intangible resources by a partner or third party in lieu of a financial contribution.); 
12. Copies of statement of annual budget and annual reports of the previous 2 years;
13. Copy of two latest audited reports, and 

14. Governance and organizational structure; experience and qualifications of key professional staff and infrastructure facilities of the organization. 

     

Organization Requirements

1. Lead Organization: The lead organization must be a not-for-profit, academic or research institution, or a governmental/inter-governmental organization, legally registered in Tanzania. Partnerships or consortiums with organizations from other countries are permitted, provided the lead organization is Tanzania-based.
2. Language Capacity: The lead organization must have the capacity to conduct or facilitate training in both Kiswahili and English.

3. Technical Experience: The consortium must demonstrate at least two years of documented experience in technical training activities in electric mobility, contributed by any of the consortium partners.

    

Budget

UN-Habitat will contribute financial resources to the tune of USD 17,000 (Seventeen Thousand United States Dollars). The EOI shall make reference to counter-part contributions (cash and in-kind) of the applying entity.

 

Overall Timeframe

The work outlined in this EOI is scheduled to commence by 1 February 2026 and completed by 31 Dec 2027. 

 

Submission Requirements and Guidelines

Expression of Interest must be delivered by email no later than 31 December 2025 to unhabitat.ubss.eoi@un.org with the reference “EOI Practical Electric Mobility Training Tanzania” in the subject of your email. Failure to indicate the reference may result in your proposal not being considered.

 

Contact Information:

For any questions related to the application please write to:

Ms. Judith Owigar

Urban Basic Services Section – Urban Mobility

United Nations Human Settlements Programme

(UN-Habitat)

P.O. Box 30030 Nairobi, Kenya

judith.owigar@un.org

Other:

Please note that this EOI notice does not constitute a solicitation. UN-Habitat reserves the right to change or cancel this requirement at any time in the Expressions of Interest/or solicitation process.

Submitting a reply to an EOI does not guarantee that a Cooperation Partner will be considered for receipt of the solicitation when issued and only Cooperation Partners who are deemed qualified by UN-Habitat upon completion of evaluation of submission, will receive the final solicitation document.