Zimbabwe: Electric motorbike gives women a path out of poverty

In the rural Zimbabwe district of Wedza, a new electric-powered motorcycle is helping bring income to poor women and easing the burden of looking after families.

The three-wheeler, known as Hamba (Go), powered by a solar-charged lithium-ion battery, is being piloted by start-up Mobility for Africa, which leases the motorcycle to women in groups of up to five.

Palagie (centre) picks up a male passenger at Kakuma refugee camp. She has with time motivated more women to join the business. Image credit UNHCR

The women can now carry farm produce to markets further away from home, offer transportation services to villagers and use the motorcycle for domestic chores.

Mary Mhuka, a 58-year-old mother-of-six who is leasing the Hamba with her daughter-in-law and a neighbour, said the motorcycle had eased the strain of domestic work.

She could now sell her vegetables at a business centre 15 km away for more money than she would get locally.

“We used to carry firewood on our heads for very long distances ... but now it’s much easier as this motorcycle has taken away that burden,” she told the media after a trip to the community water borehole.

Source: Reuters