Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is set to dispatch a team of kabaza (motorcycle taxi) leaders to Rwanda to learn best practices on road safety.
The initiative seeks to expose operators to road safety compliance, regulation and business management.
Malawi Coalition of Kabaza Associations (Macokasa) national chairperson Moses Mwalabu confirmed that the delegation will leave on Saturday and return on June 5.
He said the visit will allow operators to learn how Rwanda’s boda-boda sector has achieved organisation and sustainability, particularly in areas such as designated ranks, operational zones, safety regulations, performance targets and access to soft loans.
organised. | George Lumwira
“We have heard that the kabaza business in Rwanda is well organised and has helped improve the livelihoods of many vulnerable people. We also hope to understand how operators there access soft loans,” said Mwalabu.
He thanked government for facilitating the trip, saying the lessons could help transform Malawi’s motorcycle taxi sector.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri also confirmed the development, describing the intervention as necessary in view of the growing number of kabaza-related road accidents.
“The situation has been alarming. We need to restore order among kabaza operators. Imagine Kamuzu Central Hospital having to establish a special ward for motorcycle accident victims,” he said, adding that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is funding the trip.
Phiri said government expects the lessons from Rwanda to help improve safety standards and professionalism in the industry.
Last week, the Malawi Police Service trained 63 Macokasa leaders to strengthen collaboration with operators and enhance efforts to curb motorcycle-related road accidents.
Police statistics show that 814 accidents involving kabaza operators were recorded in 2025, resulting in 162 deaths and 652 injuries. The figures represent an increase from 727 accidents in 2024, which claimed 146 lives and left 581 people injured.
Data from Lilongwe Institute of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery indicate that the facility treats more than 2 000 motorcycle accident patients annually and performs about 300 surgeries each month, with treatment for a single bone fracture costing about K5 million.
