Blog

Mapping the global adoption of electric two-wheelers, barriers, consumer preferences and expectations.

A million-dollar question today is how soon the world will shift to electrified transportation and how the competitive dynamics in the global automobile market will change as a result. Scientists, policymakers, and industry experts around the world have been advocating for the electrification of road transportation as a strategy to reduce dependency on oil, CO2 emissions, and urban air pollution. However, electric four-wheelers (E4Ws) has their own set of challenges, as a result, electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) such as e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motorcycles may offer more immediate opportunities for electrification of road transport, particularly in urban areas.

Shops and stores have been mostly open across Germany and the UK since the last few months when lockdown measures were relaxed. However, it has not been business as usual for most shop owners. As per a report, there were “no lines” and “no crowds” when an Ikea branch in the Germany city of Cologne opened. According to experts, consumers’ mindsets have changed from a “gain” to a “maintain” mentality during the pandemic. In other words, people are avoiding stepping out of the house unless necessary to lower the risk of catching the virus.

Worldwide nearly two-thirds of people claim to be taking their personal health and fitness habits more seriously since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. We have taken a closer look at how people living in the Middle East have altered their routines, with a focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

As South Africa, along with the rest of the world, strives to jump-start the economy after its unprecedented hiatus, Borderless Access shares the financial and banking behaviour of our citizens. We provide a glimpse into how South Africans bank, what financial decisions they have made, both pre and during COVID-19, and understand where they invest their hard-earned money.

Liquor stores nationally are witnessing enormous queues and hefty sales as lockdown level 3 marks a lifting of the ban on alcohol sales. However, the market is expected to witness a shift in the consumers’ alcohol-buying behaviour as they settle into level 3. Borderless Access therefore, conducted a study to understand this change in behaviour and how it might impact the alcohol industry.

As digitization makes its way into Africa across sectors and industries, digital payment methods are being offered as safe and convenient alternatives to traditional options.

One of the fastest growing digital payments markets in Africa, Ghana, gives the digital revolution a new meaning. The unprecedented growth of the digital economy in Ghana in recent years, especially its penetration in rural areas, speaks of the opportunities it offers in terms of social inclusion and accessibility. This is furthermore important now, where the world has adopted ‘safe distancing and digital lifestyle’ as the new normal.

This past month's lockdown has had an interesting impact on how South Africans consume media. Coupled with the millions of South Africans staying home and the need for ongoing information about the coronavirus, South African media expectations have changed. By the end of March 2020, South Africa had a total of 1,353 COVID-19 cases and five deaths. One month on, we enter stage four of the South African lockdown with these numbers soaring to 5,350 cases and 103 deaths.

In times of crisis, there are two paths to take: Reactive or Proactive. It is entirely understandable (and much more common) for businesses and individuals to take the reactive path.