Friday, 5 June 2026 - In a move that marks an important step in supporting the development of electric mobility infrastructure and sustainable transport solutions in South Africa, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has announced a landmark investment into Zimi. This partnership represents growing institutional support for electric mobility and sustainable transport infrastructure in South Africa.
Supporting the Transition to Sustainable MobilityTransition the DBSA’s involvement transcends traditional funding; it is a strategic positioning of South Africa within the global green economy. By backing Zimi, the DBSA is actively de-risking the transition for the private sector, proving that the infrastructure required to support a fossil-fuel-free logistics corridor is not only viable but essential for national economic resilience.
“The DBSA is committed to supporting infrastructure investment that advances sustainable development and economic resilience across South Africa. Our investment in Zimi reflects the growing importance of electric mobility infrastructure in enabling lower-carbon transport systems and supporting innovation within the logistics sector,” said Phindile Masangane, Group Executive Programmes, DBSA.
Zimi’s mission is anchored in rigorous research and real-world data. Through ongoing research projects and business experiences, Zimi has dismantled the myths surrounding EV adoption in the South African context. Most notably, Zimi’s current Vehicle-to-Grid (V2X) and mobile power research has contributed valuable operational insights into the role electric vehicles and associated technologies may play within future energy and mobility systems.
“We are a research-led organisation,” stated Michael Maas, CEO and Founder of Zimi. “The data we have gathered through our pilot programs and current projects proves that South Africa is ready. With the DBSA’s backing, we are scaling a turnkey solution that allows any organization to transition from Diesel to Digital without operational friction. We aren't just making claims; we are providing a blueprint for the future of the continent.”
This investment serves as a clarion call to South African enterprises and government bodies. Zimi and the DBSA are making EVs possible today, ensuring that the transition results in immediate savings and zero downtime. Zimi’s approach to partnerships is rooted in radical alignment, seeking to partner with organizations that share the vision for an electrified future.
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About the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)
The Development Bank of Southern Africa is one of the leading development financial institutions on the continent. Our primary purpose is delivering impactful development finance solutions that ignite transformative change in South Africa and on the rest of the African continent. Improving the quality of life of people in Africa is the fundamental focus of our development impact. We aim to bend the arc of history towards shared prosperity through multifaceted investments in sustainable infrastructure and human capacity.
Our product solutions span all phases of the infrastructure development value chain from infrastructure planning and project preparation, across a range of financing and non-financing investments to infrastructure implementation and delivery. Our primary areas of focus include Energy, ICT, Transport, Water and Sanitation. Our secondary area of focus includes Education, Housing and Health.
About Zimi
Zimi was born out of a mission to help people and businesses reach their net-zero targets while increasing profitability. We focus on being the all-in-one ecosystem for electric vehicles (EVs), offering everything from vehicles and charging to energy management. At Zimi, we value freedom, simplicity, and savings, ensuring our clients can move away from volatile fuel prices and into a future of energy independence. Our goal is to to break through the barriers of EV adoption and providing a seamless "Diesel to Digital" transition for commercial fleets.