In India they are part of the landscape: rickshaws drive criss-cross through cities and regions, transporting people and goods. These trikes have been finding their way into African capitals for around ten years, including Togo.
Around 700 rickshaws are on the road in the country, more than half of them in the capital Lomé. Customers find this service more convenient than a motorcycle taxi or a traditional taxi. In the five years since the first trikes appeared, there are officially more than 625 drivers nationwide. The drivers earn good money, so more and more motorcycle taxis are switching to tricycles.
The price for a rickshaw is 2.6 million Fcfa (just under 4,000 euros). Drivers receive work and pay credits, which means they can become owners after 20 months. Lt. Apéti Avévi (photo), President of the Togolese Rickshaw Drivers’ Association, receives approval from the Road Safety Department (DSR) and the Informal Sector Organization (DOSI), and off you go! (republicoftogo.com)
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