With their low running costs and relative affordability in one of the world’s poorest countries, bicycles are still a popular form of transport for people and goods in Mozambique. In 2018 the country imported US$8.7 million worth of complete bicycles (HS code 8712). This is up from US$7 m in 2017. By comparison South Africa imported US$34m worth of bicycles, mainly from China, in 2018. The main sources for Mozambican bicycles are India (US$6.7m in 2018), China (US$1.2m) and South Africa (US$363 000). More bicycle-related trade is contained in the statistics for HS Code 8714 (parts and accessories for motorcycles and bicycles and for carriages for disabled persons). China dominates with exports of US$5.7m out of a total of US$7.3m (SA imported US$53m worth of parts during the same period). India is next at US$908 000, followed by Hong Kong (US$908 000) and South Africa (US$245 000). Bicycles are made more affordable by Mozambikes, which effectively subsidises the cost of locally assembled bicycles by selling advertising space. Branded bikes act as moving billboards and provide costeffective advertising, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas, according to Mozambikes. Women receive free training on how to ride and maintain bikes. They also make and sell bike baskets.
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