Contribution of the Bajaj Transport Business to Youth Employment Creation in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania

Author

Aloyce Deus Kiyeyeu, Frank Phillipo, Given Msomba

Abstract

 This study examined the contribution of the Bajaj transport business to youth livelihoods in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania. A mixed-methods approach guided by a cross-sectional research design was adopted. The target population comprised 480 registered youth Bajaj operators, from whom 90 respondents were selected using Yamane’s formula and simple random sampling. Additionally, six key informants were purposively selected, resulting in a total of 96 participants. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document reviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, particularly frequencies and percentages, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that 70.0% of respondents had been involved in the business for three years or less, while 41.1% operated investor-owned Bajajs, indicating that vehicle ownership was not a prerequisite for participation. Furthermore, 68.9% of respondents supported at least one dependent using income generated from the business, while 64.5% worked for nine hours or more per day. These findings suggest that the Bajaj transport business contributes to youth livelihoods by providing self-employment opportunities and generating income to support household members. The study recommends strengthening financial management training, improving access to affordable credit, promoting income diversification, and enhancing the operating environment for Bajaj operators. The findings provide useful insights for local authorities, transport stakeholders, and financial institutions seeking to strengthen youth livelihoods through informal transport activities.

Keywords

Bajaj transport, youth livelihoods, income generation activities, asset ownership

Full Text:

Download Paper PDF

References

Chetto, R., Peters, K., Jenkins, J., Ntramah, S., Mugisha, M., Opiyo, P., Owino, F., Johnson, T. P., Santos, R. T., & Verheij, R. (2025). Emerging business models and service options for motorcycle taxis: Insights from 10 cities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Transportation Research Procedia, 89, 327–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2025.05.065

International Labour Organization. (2021). Informal sector survey 2019: Key findings. https://www.ilo.org/publications/informal-sector-survey-2019-key-findings

Kumarage, A. S., Bandara, M., & Munasinghe, D. (2010). Analysis of the economic and social parameters of the three-wheeler taxi service in Sri Lanka. Research in Transportation Economics, 29(1), 395–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2010.07.050

Luambano, H., Lusohoka, Z., Mshana, Z., Kimario, A., & Moses, F. (2024). Commercial motorcycle operations in Tanzania: An analysis on youth livelihood improvement in Dar es Salaam City. Journal of Logistics, Management and Engineering Sciences, 4(2), 28–42. https://doi.org/10.61313/jlmes2023v4i2.0051

Luvinga, K. C. (2021). The contributions of bodaboda transport business on the livelihood of youths in Arusha-Tanzania. Tengeru Community Development Journal, 8(1), 1–11.

Manyerere, D. J. (2020). Unveiling the role of rural social networks in facilitating rural-urban migration and the survival of self-employed youth in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal for Population Studies and Development, 27(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.56279/tjpsd.v27i1.103

and Development, 27(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.56279/tjpsd.v27i1.103

Mwakalila, E. (2025). Health and financial vulnerability among motorcycle-taxi drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 19, Article 101337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2024.101337

National Bureau of Statistics. (2022). The 2022 population and housing census: Administrative units population distribution report. United Republic of Tanzania.

Owino, F., Peters, K., Jenkins, J., Opiyo, P., Chetto, R., Ntramah, S., Mutabazi, M. M., Vincent, J., Johnson, T. P., Santos, R. T., & Hayombe, P. (2024). The urban motorcycle taxi sector in Sub-Saharan Africa: Needs, practices and equity issues. Urban, Planning and Transport Research, 12(1), Article 2354400. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650020.2024.2354400

Saddier, S. (2025). Are motorcycle taxis competing with collective public transport? Analyzing the role of boda-bodas in Kampala's urban mobility system. Research in Transportation Economics, 111, Article 101562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2025.101562

Scoones, I. (1998). Sustainable rural livelihoods: A framework for analysis (IDS Working Paper No. 72). Institute of Development Studies. https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/articles/report/Sustainable_Rural_Livelihoods_A_Framework_for_Analysis/26466364

Tossy, T. (2026). Factors influencing youth involvement in the bodaboda transport business in Dodoma City, Tanzania. Indonesian Journal of Innovation and Applied Sciences, 6(1), 60–78. https://doi.org/10.47540/ijias.v6i1.2579

United Republic of Tanzania. (2007). National youth development policy. Ministry of Labour, Employment and Youth Development.

Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An introductory analysis (2nd ed.). Harper and Row.

 

 

 

 

Share your valuable work from Social Media Buttons