Motorcycle Sales Boom in Africa

Motorcycle Sales Boom in Africa

According to a TechSci Research report, the two-wheeler market in Africa is forecast to reach $9 billion by 2021.

South Africa, Nigeria and Tanzania are the largest two-wheeler markets in Africa, followed by Kenya, Algeria, Uganda, Egypt, Morocco, Angola and Ethiopia. According to the World Bank, the population of Africa is forecast to reach 2.8 billion by 2060.

As the population of the continent continues to grow rapidly, governments and other stakeholders are coming under pressure to develop and strengthen transport networks. Public transportation systems in African countries is still inadequate and poorly developed, and consequently, two-wheelers are becoming a key medium for transportation in urban as well as rural settlements.

In Africa, two-wheelers offer an affordable mode of transportation. Rising fuel prices are also driving demand for motorcycles, given their higher fuel efficiency. And since a driver’s license is not mandatory for gearless two-wheelers in the majority of the African countries, tourists usually choose them for transportation purposes.

The African two-wheeler market comprises two categories: motorcycle and scooter. The motorcycle segment dominated the market in 2015, and the booming motorcycle taxi business has pushed sales. South Africa was the major market in 2015.

Growing per capita income, increasing employment opportunities, developing infrastructure and vast reserves of natural resources are driving the country's economic growth. According to the Association of Motorcycle Importers and Distributors, the continent registers huge demand for motorcycles over 500cc.

(Photo: Riders in South Africa. Via Wikipedia)