Written by: Whitney Adams

Co-written by: Cleo Robbie from Challenge Works

In the coming months, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will launch an exciting new initiative focused on bicycle innovations in Malawi and Zambia. 

Throughout Africa, walking is the primary mode of transport for most people, and up to 78 percent of the population walks daily to access work and essential services. This reliance on walking presents significant challenges, including reduced travel efficiency and injuries from carrying heavy loads. For many people, walking is the only option due to a lack of affordable alternative transportation. However, bicycles offer a cost-effective and sustainable solution, with the potential to transform livelihoods by boosting income generation, empowering women, and improving access to healthcare and education. 

Building on the success of its Bicycles For Growth Initiative, USAID is set to launch a multiyear open innovation challenge aimed at incentivizing the development and scaling of innovative bicycle solutions. The initiative will initially target Malawi and Zambia, with the possibility of expansion to other countries that have high potential for impact due to their existing bicycle ecosystems and favorable macroeconomic, political, legal, and cultural environments.  

Features of the Challenge 

The challenge will launch later this year and be managed as part of the Innovative Design, Execution, and Acceleration Support (IDEAS) mechanism, led by EnCompass in collaboration with USAID’s Exploratory Programs and Innovation Competitions (EPIC) team. 

Challenges like this one are open innovation competitions designed to encourage the development of multiple solutions to a given problem. They provide a platform for innovators to test, launch, or scale their proposed solutions.

The challenge will be divided into two streams: one for innovators whose proof of concept needs further development, and another for those with proven solutions that are ready for scaling. By fostering new ideas and nurturing the growing community of innovators in the bicycle sector, the new initiative aims to increase the availability and uptake of affordable bicycles in the region. 

Innovative bicycle solutions hold particular promise for improving the livelihoods of women and low-income households. According to the Bicycle Mobility in Sub-Saharan Africa Report published in September 2023, “in Zambia, the percentage of men with bicycles was more than four times that of women.” Similarly, in Malawi, only 15 percent of women owned a bicycle compared to 45 percent of men. The report highlights the gender gap, noting that “women [across the region] make up a key segment of the unmet need for bicycles.” This new challenge offers a unique opportunity to bridge that gap. 

The challenge will be open to legally registered organizations in Malawi and Zambia. Consortiums are welcome to apply, provided the lead organization is based locally. 

Feedback So Far 

As part of its research and design work, the IDEAS team has been gathering feedback from prospective innovators in the region. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. “We can’t wait for the process to start, to see how far we can go. There are [currently] a lot of innovations but a lack of support—not only financial but also capacity building,” said Nezaiah Mwila Mumba, founder of Lwendo Delivery Services, a start-up headquartered in Lusaka. 

The IDEAS team will share more details in the coming months. Follow EnCompass on LinkedIn for updates! 

The IDEAS Consortium is led by EnCompass and includes Challenge Works, DT Global, and ITAD.