Cheap Asian motorcycles are transforming African cities
The $1,000 boda boda carries a big economic punch
At the Haojue showroom in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, Gaston Kamo dusts the latest model’s ruby-red fuel tank. “With motorcycles you can go everywhere, even muddy roads,” says the salesman for the Chinese manufacturer. The gleaming 125cc bike costs 1.25m Rwandan francs (around $1,000). “Much less than a car,” adds Mr Kamo, gently angling for his cut.
This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “Vroom vroom!”
From the August 17th 2024 edition
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