Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative

Original project description

Ghana Bamboo Bikes aims at taking advantage of the abundant raw bamboo materials in Ghana to manufacture high quality bamboo bikes suitable for export markets and for the road conditions in Ghana and affordable to the poor.
Ghana Bamboo Bikes design, develop and market multi-purpose bikes and related products and services using native bamboo. As the frames are light and stable, the bikes are suitable for rough terrain and for carrying large farm loads, passengers, water and even patients. Apart from Ghana, the initiative focuses on markets in the EU and USA to generate foreign exchange and created jobs along the value chain.

Social impact: Bamboo bikes improve the lives of the people in Ghana by delivering a sustainable and affordable form of transportation that satisfies local needs and eventually brings about the needed local economic growth.

Environmental impact: Compared to the production of traditional metal bicycles, bamboo bikes require less electricity and no hazardous chemicals. Bamboo is the fastest growing canopy for the regreening of degraded lands, provides nutrition for humans and animals and helps improve air and water quality.

Economic impact: The initiative creates employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled persons – especially youth – along the value chain by setting up a local bamboo bike industry in Ghana. The local government is supported through taxes and foreign exchange is generated through exports.

Current project updates

No update available.

Growth plans description

- Commence full-time operations in Kumasi and manufacture 3,000 bamboo bikes for the Ghanaian, EU and U.S. market.
- Enter market in Burkina Faso and other countries in the sub-region.
- Train 50 young women in manufacturing and assembling bamboo bikes.
- Secure a contract from the government of Ghana to build bicycles for teachers and health workers in rural areas and start manufacturing electric bamboo bikes.

Current Needs

- Financial contributions for equipment and to support the scale-up process.
- Expert advice on branding and raising awareness for bamboo bikes as innovative and high-quality product.
- Micro-finance companies to establish a hire purchase scheme for prospective buyers.
- Partners to access European and U.S. markets.

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