The Global South Center has grown significantly in 2025 with 10 new projects—bringing in $2.3 million funds—across its four thematic pillars in multiple regions, including India, Indonesia, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Mexico, and California. Two high-impact initiatives are the Global South Center’s initiatives in Africa and Mexico, which will play a significant role in expanding and strengthening the international impact of ITS-Davis.
Africa
The Global South Center has grown significantly in 2025 with 10 new projects—bringing in $2.3 million funds—across its four thematic pillars in multiple regions, including India, Indonesia, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Mexico, and California. Two high-impact initiatives are the Global South Center’s initiatives in Africa and Mexico, which will play a significant role in expanding and strengthening the international impact of ITS-Davis.
Mexico
The Global South Center, on invitation by the President’s Cabinet of the Government of Mexico, has been appointed as the lead technical partner for the Olinia Project, creating Mexico’s first domestically built urban mobility EV for last mile passenger and cargo transport. The center is providing strategic guidance by developing the economic case, business model, policy design, and in structuring the EV company. Olinia is a first -of-its-kind initiative in Mexico and is intended as a nationally-backed, zero-emission mobility solution that combines climate ambition with industrial policy, anchoring a broader EV ecosystem encompassing batteries, charging infrastructure, components, and digital services.