Every day, Lusakaโs growing population puts more pressure on the cityโs main arteries, especially Great North Road and Great East Road. As new suburbs emerge and economic activity expands, these corridors become increasingly crowded during morning and evening rush hours. The result is longer travel times, gridlock, and a growing need for more adaptable transport options that complement existing systems.
Across Africa, 2 and 3 wheelers have proven to be an effective part of the solution to reducing congestion, improving access, and providing meaningful jobs. For Zambia, integrating these vehicles into the urban transport framework could make city travel smoother and more inclusive
๐. ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Not every neighborhood in Lusaka or its outskirts is easily served by traditional transport modes. Two- and three-wheelers can bridge that gap, connecting people from rural communities that are cut off from reliable transport. They can reach areas where minibuses and taxis simply canโt go, connecting people to jobs, healthcare, and education.
๐. ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ข๐
Anyone who has experienced the traffic along Great North or Great East knows how difficult it can be to move even short distances. Two- and three-wheelers can easily weave through congested roads, helping commuters reach workplaces, schools, and markets on time. With the city expanding outward, these vehicles can become key connectors for short, time-sensitive trips, especially during peak hours.
๐. ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ
As the cost of living rises, transport affordability becomes more important than ever. Two- and three-wheelers cost less to operate than cars or larger vehicles, which translates into lower fares for commuters. For workers, students, and traders, this affordability can make daily travel more manageable, especially for short routes between residential zones and transport hubs.
๐. ๐๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Legalizing two- and three-wheelers for transportation would unlock significant job opportunities, particularly for young people. In countries like Kenya, the boda-boda sector supports around 2.5 million livelihoods and contributes over 4% to the national GDP. In Uganda, more than 350,000 riders operate in Kampala alone, while Nigeria counts over 1.5 million registered tricycles across its cities. With proper training, licensing, and regulation, Zambia could replicate these successes, creating a structured and sustainable industry for local riders.
๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ก
These vehicles consume less fuel and emit fewer greenhouse gases compared to larger modes of transport. As Zambia continues to promote its green economy, encouraging energy-efficient, low-emission mobility options fits perfectly within national sustainability goals.
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐
Urban centers are evolving rapidly, and Lusaka is no exception. With the cityโs main corridors facing daily congestion, embracing smaller, efficient vehicles can ease pressure, shorten travel times, and create thousands of jobs. Legalizing two- and three-wheelers for transportation, not as competition but as complementary transport options, is an opportunity to make city travel smarter, faster, and more inclusive.