Boda Boda - Lessons from East Africa's Growing NMT Industry

The aim of this paper is to describe the origins, growth and characteristics of the boda boda phenomenon in East Africa. Essentially they are a bicycle-based taxi service and have grown from modest origins in the early 1960’s in the border region of Uganda and Kenya, to achieve the status of a significant industry in one country and a substantial and growing presence in the other. The reasons for this, their evolving characteristics, influence on the poor, and relationship to motorized services are examined. The paper is mainly based on original research in Uganda conducted by the authors in the context of an analysis of livelihoods and the contribution that mobility and accessibility have on these. Where possible, comparisons are made with Kenya. Boda boda are shown to fill a gap in the transport market that has traditionally existed in African countries where - in contradistinction to Asia – non motorised transport [NMT] based services are rare. Essentially they meet the need for short distance, low-capacity transport able to operate in areas with limited demands that would not support more conventional services. The industry is also a major source of employment and livelihood support for the poor. The absence of either donor or government influences on the growth of the industry is striking, and is shown to have both positive and negative consequences.

• Corporate Authors:

  World Conference on Transport Research Society

  Secretariat, 14 Avenue Berthelot
  69363 Lyon cedex 07,   France 
• Authors:
  • Howe, John
  • Maunder, David
• Conference:
  • 10th World Conference on Transport Research
  • Location: Istanbul , Turkey
  • Date: 2004-7-4 to 2004-7-8
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: References;
• Pagination: 8p
• Monograph Title: 10th World Conference on Transport Research

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Bicycles; Employment; Mobility; Motorcycles; Nonmotorized transportation; Public transit; Taxi services; Transit operating agencies
• Geographic Terms: Africa
• Subject Areas: Economics; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Public Transportation; Society; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01087906
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 30 2008 11:47AM