This archive report was first published on 11 July 2021.
On the African continent, where rugged terrain and rough roads are the norm, Joel Jackson's innovative spirit led him to create Mobius Motors, a pioneering car company that began in Kenya.
Founded in 2009 by Jackson, a 36-year-old computer engineer, Mobius Motors aimed to provide an affordable and durable vehicle for the African market.
According to Jackson, the idea for Mobius Motors was born out of his experience working in rural Kenya, where he witnessed firsthand the challenges of navigating the country's tough terrain.
"Millions of people are having their productivity undermined because of the time it takes to move around and get from place to place, and that problem could be solved with a better type of product," Jackson stated in a past interview with CNN.
With a clear vision, Jackson bootstrapped the company, starting from a shed in Kilifi County with his own savings. He later shifted to Mombasa and eventually settled in Nairobi, where he established research, production, and development facilities.
Jackson's desire to delve into the African market was driven by the lack of affordable cars designed for rough roads. "Car companies are still focused on the BRIC economies. Africa is an overlooked market in general, and there is an opportunity to do something different," he noted in a past interview with Forbes.
With the support of American billionaire Ronald Lauder, who invested millions of dollars in the company in 2014, Mobius Motors was able to assemble multiple units and establish a distribution network within the country.
The first generation Mobius featured a 1598 cc petrol engine with a capacity of 86 horsepower, while the second-generation model introduced new features such as glass windows, power steering, and an infotainment system, powered by a 4-cylinder inline petrol engine with a capacity of 1798 cc, producing 133 horsepower.
