Why bicycles are crucial to Congo’s cross-border trade

Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitaskThere are 4,000 to 8,000 bike “porters” in the town, estimates the World Bank. They load their bicycles with hundreds of kilos of goods, such as nappies, energy drinks and ground corn. A load that heavy would test the thighs of a Tour de France winner, so the cyclists work in teams. A “steerer” is seated at the front while three or four people push from the back. “My job is my work-out,” says one.

Congo relies on imports because, after decades of war, it makes and grows little itself. More than 70% of food consumed in its south-eastern provinces crosses the Zambian border, some of it bought at Kasumbalesa’s market stalls, where French- and Swahili-speaking Congolese use sign language to bargain with sellers who speak English, Bemba or Gujarati.

Import tariffs are the same, no matter how the goods are moved. But bicycles save money and time. Fuel is expensive and it costs $400 in vehicle taxes for a round-trip from Zambia. It is also harder to evade bribe-hungry officials when driving a lorry than when riding a bike. “Bicycles are the only way we can do business,” says the owner of a firm that exports Namibian fish to Congo via Zambia. He once used lorries but delays meant his fish rotted. Today he uses Congolese middlemen who arrange the bicycle trade. Two-thirds of small-scale trade goes through the official border post; the other third is smuggled.

Kasumbalesa’s two-wheel exporters hint at the importance of informal and small-scale cross-border trade in Africa. Indeed, the amount of unrecorded exports means that intra-African trade may be 11-40% higher than official figures suggest, notes the Brookings Institution, an American think-tank.

That's a massive waffle.

United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Councillor calls for anti-bike barriers to prevent “dangerous” cyclists “zooming across” foot tunnelCouncillor calls for anti-bike barriers to prevent “dangerous” cyclists “zooming across” foot tunnel Tower Hamlets Council passed a motion calling for “rigorous” safety checks before the ban on cycling through Greenwich foot tunnel is lifted cycling “Another member of the council also called for barriers to be installed along the path to stop…” ..,the disabled being able to access the tunnel ! ( if the lifts working)
Source: roadcc - 🏆 21. / 71 Read more »

Surly Big Dummy Cargo Bike Gets Bruised Ego & Smart Updates for its Final Run?Minnesota's Surly Bikes releases the Big Dummy Cargo Bike with a new color and new geometry, getting updated right before saying good-bye.
Source: bikerumor - 🏆 65. / 61 Read more »

First Look: Vaude TVL Sykkel Bike Shoes are Modern ATB ClassicsThe German outdoor sports company, Vaude, get their TVL Sykkel shoes reviewed by Bikerumor's Cycling Lifestyle Editor, Ron Frazelle.
Source: bikerumor - 🏆 65. / 61 Read more »

Masked gang slash Blackpool boy in alleyway and try to steal his bikeThe boy was slashed in an alleyway to the rear of the Ashton Road and Keswick Road
Source: LiveLancs - 🏆 10. / 87 Read more »

30% off Garmin Edge 1030 Plus GPS Bike Computer | Cycling deals from Dealclincher
Source: roadcc - 🏆 21. / 71 Read more »

Subscription-based bike hire schemes on a rollA growing number of people are choosing to hire a bicycle over a long period of time. Gosh, we wont own the clothes on our backs soon! Keep pushing that WEF agenda, ya' little scamps 😉
Source: BBCNews - 🏆 3. / 97 Read more »