Student collaboration sparks new innovations for Kenya’s E Mobility market

Students from the University of South Wales have collaborated with Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya, to help improve the E-mobility sector in the region with innovative new designs for electric vehicles.

The Learning and Design Lab project, funded by the British Council and led by technology company Circle Innovation, saw a group of eight USW students travel to Kenya with Florence Ayisi, Professor of International Documentary Film and Adeyemi Aromolaran, lecturer in Global Business, for the week-long challenge.

There, they took on a brief set by Carbon Zero Mobility – an E-mobility company that develops, assembles and distributes electric vehicles suitable for African communities, working towards cheaper transport costs for businesses and individuals to create a sustainable e-mobility market in Nairobi and beyond.

MBA Global students Hassan Garg, Oliver Kipngetich, Muhammad Zain Ammar Safdar and Bushra Mumtahina Hawa; BA History students Taran Brown-Edmunds, Maddison Stanton and Annie Snee; and BA Film student Olivia Muller worked in teams with Daystar University students on the design challenge.

After a Q&A session with Carbon Zero Mobility to learn more about the E-mobility sector in Kenya, the students visited a nearby YMCA in Shauri Moyo to meet the local community and carry out design research. Later in the week, they tested their solution prototypes before pitching their ideas to the company.

Dr Marta Minier, Associate Professor of Theatre and Media Drama at USW, was project manager for the trip. She said: “USW is one of very few universities fortunate enough to be selected for the Learning and Design Lab, and our students have acted as excellent ambassadors for Wales and for the University during their time in Nairobi.

“Working with a design thinking methodology in an interdisciplinary and international setting, and in the very specific sector of E-mobility, is no mean feat. I am extremely proud of the USW students who engaged with the challenge and experimented with a different way of conducting research, while immersing themselves in a new cultural context. They even requested that the Welsh national anthem was played at the opening ceremony of the project – probably for the first time at Daystar University. Chwarae teg!”

Prof Florence Ayisi added: “What really stood out for me was seeing students come together across cultures to work on real-world challenges, deeply engaging and learning from each other, sharing perspectives, and developing ideas that were grounded in real experiences.”

Adeyemi Aromoloran said: “It was great to see how the Learning and Design Lab provided a valuable platform for students to engage directly with practical industry challenges in an international setting. Through field-based research, collaboration with local stakeholders, and a structured approach to problem-solving, our students and their peers at Daystar University developed context-driven solutions while building confidence in applying their learning beyond the classroom. I am positive that this will strengthen future collaboration.”

Muhammad Zain Ammar Safdar added: “This experience has had a strong impact on my future goals. It has increased my interest in sustainability, global business, and solving real-world challenges. I now feel more motivated to work on projects that create meaningful impact, particularly in areas related to sustainability and innovation. The experience has also strengthened my desire to work in international and cross-cultural environments.

“I am truly grateful for this opportunity. It was an incredibly enriching experience, both academically and personally. I particularly valued the chance to collaborate with peers from Daystar University, engage with real-world challenges, and develop a deeper understanding of sustainability and e-mobility.”

Taran Brown-Edmunds said: “As a History student, I'm used to working with the past. But in Nairobi, I was engaging with living history with real people, in real time. No textbook could have taught me what these conversations did. It made me realise how important this challenge was, that there are human stories driving every global issue, every statistic, and every system. I had a real opportunity to make a change, and I was determined to achieve this.

“I am incredibly grateful to both my team, and everyone involved for this amazing experience. We worked across different disciplines, we overcame disabilities, and persevered when it wasn't easy, but we came out stronger because of it. This was something I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Hassan Garg added: “It was an incredible opportunity to represent the MBA Global course during this trip. Being surrounded by such talented and diverse individuals created an environment full of energy, ideas, and growth. Everyone brought unique perspectives that challenged my thinking in ways I had never considered before.

“This experience has profoundly impacted me. The lab, structured around learning and unlearning, pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me reconnect with my passion for entrepreneurship. This was not just an academic experience—it was a transformative journey. It has reignited my entrepreneurial drive and strengthened my confidence to take meaningful steps forward.”