Zimbabwe E-Tricycle Crackdown Threatens Rural Women's Livelihoods

In rural Zimbabwe, a crackdown on electric tricycles is jeopardizing the livelihoods of numerous women who depend on these vehicles for income. Daires Mutamangira, an e-tricycle operator in eastern Zimbabwe, recounted a recent arrest where she was fined $15 for operating without registration and a driver's license, despite being on a dusty footpath far from main roads.

This incident reflects a broader police campaign targeting e-tricycles, particularly in areas like Hauna and Chipinge in Manicaland Province. The annual registration and licensing fees amount to nearly $500, a sum far beyond the means of the approximately 300 rural women who operate these e-tricycles. Many of these women are single mothers and widows who rely on this business to support their families.

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It was scary. I never thought they would be that cruel considering I was riding on the outskirts of the shopping centre and far away from the highway.

E-tricycles, known locally as 'Hamba' (Shona for 'go'), are powered by lithium batteries and can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h. They were introduced to empower women in rural areas, capable of carrying up to 450kg of goods. For communities like Hauna, a farming hub, these tricycles are essential for transporting produce to market and for daily errands. Mutamangira, for example, earns about $250 profit in a good month, covering household bills and her four children's needs, making her the primary breadwinner.

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In a good month, I made a profit of about $250. My husband is unemployed, so I am the breadwinner.

Beyond commerce, the e-tricycles serve critical community functions, acting as makeshift ambulances in emergencies due to a chronic shortage of official ambulances in rural areas. Supported by the startup Mobility for Africa, women pay small fees for battery swaps and eventual ownership of the tricycles. For Mutamangira, the vehicle represents economic empowerment and independence, allowing her to contribute financially and earn respect within her marriage.

However, since February 2025, police have begun impounding e-tricycles, demanding registration and licenses based on outdated Rhodesian-era traffic laws. This sudden enforcement is crippling the businesses that many women have come to rely on, threatening their financial stability and independence.

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It feels good as a woman to contribute financially to my marriage. I earn respect from my husband because I am bringing something to the table and not just a stay-at-home parent.