Many a semi-educated youth find it hard to find jobs, especially in towns and cities like Kigali because of the high competition and an abundance of skilled people in urban centres. 

The enterprising ones try to create emplyment by starting small businesses, including hawking, street vending and operating moto or bicycle taxis to earn a livielihood and also improve their standards of living. In Kigali, many young men operate bicycle taxis.

Commercial cycling was outlawed in 2012 because it allegedly caused traffic congestion in the city. The riders were to vanish from the city. The ban was to be in place for over two years.

It took the intervention of the President, who on October 6, 2014, said bicycles were one of the tools the country can use to fight poverty among city youth, especially those that are not highly educated.

When the ban on bicycle transport in the City of Kigali was lifted, one city dweller Abdul Karim Barafakuvuga, a Kicukiro resident, welcomed it.

Barafakuvuga says after the announcement by the President he realised there was a huge business opportunity for bicycle taxis.

"I worked out a small business plan with a view of starting a company that would buy bicycles and hire them out at a fee,” he says.

With the lifting on the ban, Barafakuvuga says he mobilised his peers to join him as shareholders in the new firm. Each shareholder was to contribute Rwf20,000 each (for a bicycle).

That’s how Best Transporters Services Limited was born. The firm, located in Kicukiro town, Kicukiro District, hires out bicycles to riders, locally known as "abanyonzi” who pay Rwf1,000 daily for using the bicycle.

"I realised that the lifting of the ban created jobs that have helped improve the riders’ living standards,” Barafakuvuga, who is the manager of the firm, says.

He adds that the group’s aim was to eradicate poverty among the less privileged Rwandans.

The company deals with 80 riders per today.

Challenges

However, Rurangwa says the riders face huge challenges during the rainy season. 

"We make little money during rains as customers shun us because of the mud,” he adds.

Ntabanganimana says moto taxi riders harass them and at times force burly off the road leading to accidents. This also costs them in terms of bicycle repairs. 

He calls on the government to provide bicycle lanes to improve road safety.

Advice to youth 

He advises jobless youth to be innovative and start their own enterprises instead of waiting for government. 

"It is also essential that one does not shun small jobs as they can be used as a stepping stone to jobs of their dreams. 

"There is also need for patience and hard work for one to realise their dreams,” he counsels. 

"Bicycle taxi is big business…these boys ferry a lot of passenger every day and earn handsomely,” Barafakuvuga says.

Call for support

Barafakuvuga requests the Police to train "abanyonzi” on traffic laws and better road use to ensure safety on the roads. 

He says this will also help make the business more profitable to ably support stakeholders, especially the riders. 

"Banks and micro-finance institutions should also come in and give organised groups like ours soft loans to expand the business and employ more youth,” says Barafakuvuga.

Beneficiaries speak out

Savie Rurangwa, a resident of Kabeza who works on the Kabeza-Giporoso-Remera route, says he been able to provide for his family with ease from riding a bicycle taxi. He says he joined Best Transportation Services as one of the "abanyonzi” where he acquired a bicycle. He adds that he earns Rwf3,000 per day on average, Rwf1,000 of which is deposited at the firm to repay the bicycle loan.

Rurangwa says he has been able to look after his two children and a wife without depending on anybody. "It is easy for me now to buy food, clothings, and pay health insurance and rent for the family,” he says. He notes the bicycle transport job is enjoyable and fun, especially for those who ‘naturally’ like bicycle riding as a sport. He says he will do the job for one year and half to save money to buy a motorcycle and become fully self-employed. Rurangwa says he earns Rwf78,000 a month.

Faustin Ntabanganimana, 21, works along Semuduha-Kabeza-Rubirizi road in Kicukiro.

He has spent five months in this kind of business. He earns between Rwf3,000 and Rwf3,500 daily or about Rwf30,000 per month. Ntabanganimana is grateful the President of Rwanda intervened. He says he has been able to provide for himself the basics of life, including shelter, food and clothing.