Solar-powered tricycles revolutionise rural transport

In the rural heartlands of Wedza district, 150 kilometres from Harare, the hum of solar-powered tricycles is reshaping everyday life. For women like 31-year-old Anna Bhobho, the vehicles - known as Hambas - have become more than a mode of transport; they are a gateway to independence, dignity and financial stability.

Bhobho, once confined to domestic duties, now earns up to US$300 a month ferrying goods and running her grocery store. "My husband now relies on me to cover household expenses, including school fees and furniture," she said proudly. "I have gained respect and a voice in family decisions."

The Hambas, developed by local start-up Mobility for Africa, are solar-powered electric tricycles designed to withstand rural terrain. Introduced in 2019, the project initially leased the vehicles to groups of women for as little as US$15 a month. Today, women can acquire them through lease-to-purchase schemes, with the company partnering NGOs and government bodies to widen access.

In Chipinge, smallholder dairy farmer Pauline Ndlovu estimates her Hamba has increased her income by US$120 a month by cutting the exhausting seven-kilometre trips she once made carrying 20 litres of milk. Similarly, 70-year-old farmer Martha Chinamhora from Domboshava says the tricycle has eased her daily burden of transporting 60 litres of milk, freeing time for her family and other work.

The vehicles have also proven invaluable for public service providers. Community health worker Josephine Nyevhe uses her Hamba to respond to emergencies and ferry patients to clinics. Police officers, nurses, and agricultural extension officers have also adopted the tricycles to navigate poor roads in remote communities.

With a range of over 30 kilometres per charge and batteries powered by solar energy, the Hambas provide a zero-emission alternative to walking, animal-drawn carts or costly transport. Mobility for Africa has established solar charging stations offering quick battery swaps, enabling continuous use even in off-grid areas.

The tricycles' impact extends beyond economics. According to the 2022 Population Census, 67 per cent of Zimbabweans live in rural areas where poor road networks limit access to markets and essential services. By easing mobility, Hambas empower women - who form the backbone of agriculture and informal trade - to expand their businesses and support their households.

Still, challenges remain. Some men resist the cultural shift of women entering traditionally male-dominated spaces, while rugged terrain and rainy conditions complicate transport. Yet, Mobility for Africa continues to train women in safe driving and maintenance, with a goal of ensuring that 70 per cent of beneficiaries are women.

So far, over 300 women have benefited from the initiative, and the fleet has collectively driven 1.5 million kilometres this year. The company aims to expand its reach across Zimbabwe and into other African countries facing similar challenges.

As Bhobho and her peers steer their Hambas down dusty village paths, they are doing more than transporting goods - they are driving a movement that promises to redefine rural life. The Hamba stands as a beacon of sustainable innovation, demonstrating how access to mobility can empower women, uplift families, and transform entire communities.