AfTrak - Micro Electric Agriculture for Africa 

Partners: International Lead Association (Lead), Loughborough University, Tiyeni

Country: Malawi

Technology: Next generation solar technologies and business models

Stage: Early

Stage: 9

The roll-out of grid or micro-grid connections to rural communities is often limited by the expendable income of a community being too low to purchase sufficient energy to be attractive to an infrastructure investor.

The International Lead Association and partners have developed the AfTrak system, a micro electric tractor capable of mechanising land preparation. This low-cost, walk-behind tractor system is powered entirely by solar, has built-in battery storage, can prepare the soil to a depth of 400mm, and provides power for agricultural applications such as water irrigation and domestic applications such as phone charging, electric cooking, and lighting.

AfTrak focuses on providing a significant agricultural revenue boost to pave the way for future energy rollout whilst simultaneously providing community power.