Zimi raises $3.1 million from DBSA to expand EV fleet and charging network in South Africa

South African e-mobility startup Zimi has closed a $3.1 million investment round led by the Development Bank of Southern Africa. The company builds an integrated electric vehicle ecosystem for commercial fleets, combining specialized EVs, smart charging infrastructure, route optimization software, and fleet management analytics. The funding will be used to scale its charging network along major economic corridors in Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, and to help logistics operators shift away from internal combustion engine vehicles. The DBSA's backing signals growing institutional support for green infrastructure in South Africa. Zimi aims to lower the total cost of ownership for electric fleets and create a repeatable model for low-carbon commercial transport across the region. The investment comes as the logistics sector faces rising fuel costs and regulatory pressure to cut emissions.