AFRIKAWA: An Electric Mobile Café Developed in Morocco – MCG24 FR

AFRIKAWA: A Mobile Electric Coffee Concept Developed in Morocco

Stellantis Morocco and Smiresso today unveiled AFRIKAWA, a Moroccan concept for a professional mobile coffee shop that transforms the 100% electric FIAT Tris—designed and assembled in Morocco—into a fully equipped coffee station. This project combines sustainable mobility, industrial innovation, coffee expertise, and entrepreneurial support, with the ambition of fostering the creation of economic activities and quality jobs in Morocco, before considering its deployment in other African markets.

At the core of the AFRIKAWA project, the FIAT Tris transcends its traditional role as a utility vehicle, evolving into a true mobile platform dedicated to coffee preparation and sales. Compact and modular, this electric tricycle is tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and local commercial activities.

Developed at the Stellantis Morocco Technical Center (CETIEV), the prototype features a professional coffee station, a photovoltaic system contributing to its energy autonomy, and digital tools for activity tracking. This configuration aims to provide a standardized solution that can adapt to various environments while maintaining a consistent level of quality and service.

“AFRIKAWA concretely illustrates our vision of useful mobility: an electric vehicle designed and assembled in Morocco becomes the starting point for a professional activity,” emphasized Yves Peyrot des Gachons, General Director of Stellantis Morocco.

Through AFRIKAWA, Smiresso oversees the development of the concept and the coordination of its various components, including coffee expertise, operations, training, maintenance, and support for future operators.

The goal is to enable new entrepreneurs and independent operators to access a professional solution combining specialized equipment, training, and technical assistance. Thus, the project aims to contribute to the professionalization of public coffee sales and promote the emergence of structured and sustainable activities.

“AFRIKAWA has been conceived as a complete ecosystem, rather than just a mobile point of sale,” explained Mohamed Yassir Smires, General Director of Smiresso, highlighting the association of mobility, professional equipment, technology, and training.

The project also benefits from the expertise of Melitta Professional, a technological partner specialized in professional coffee preparation solutions. With a long-standing experience in the industry, the company helps integrate equipment that meets quality, reliability, and service requirements.

The cooperation between Smiresso and Melitta is facilitated by GIZ Morocco, in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as part of Invest for Jobs, the special initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) dedicated to decent work and a just transition.

This support focuses mainly on the knowledge transfer and development of local skills. It includes training Smiresso technicians in roasting and maintaining Melitta’s professional machines to strengthen the technical capacities necessary for the project’s development.

According to Rico Langeheine, the resident director of GIZ Morocco, AFRIKAWA showcases the value of economic cooperation enabling Moroccan and German companies to pool their expertise to develop solutions tailored to local realities.

Designed and developed in Morocco, AFRIKAWA aims to validate a replicable model based on the combination of an electric vehicle, professional equipment, digital tools, training, and entrepreneurial support.

The Kingdom serves as the pilot market for this initiative. Partners plan to assess the potential for replicating the concept in other African markets, considering the development potential of this mobile coffee model.

Through AFRIKAWA, Stellantis Morocco, Smiresso, Melitta, and GIZ aim to promote an approach that combines electric mobility, industrial innovation, skill transfer, and entrepreneurship. The project is part of a dynamic effort to create new economic opportunities and support the establishment of quality jobs, while enhancing the industrial and entrepreneurial capabilities developed in Morocco.