Announcing Our New Partnership with Africycle in Malawi
We are thrilled to announce our newest partnership with Africycle in Malawi, marking an exciting milestone as our sixth collaboration with a non-profit organisation in Africa. This partnership expands our reach beyond Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, bringing much-needed bicycles to rural communities in Malawi.
At Re-Cycle, we rescue second-hand bicycles from across the UK and ship them to our trusted partners in Africa. These bicycles are vital for improving mobility and independence, providing an affordable, sustainable mode of transport. Once they arrive, our partners distribute them across rural areas, where they can make a real difference. Any surplus from bike sales is reinvested into community-based projects, supporting education, healthcare, and economic development.
In 2023, we sent 21 containers, each carrying around 520 bicycles, to Africa. This year, we planned to send 22 containers, but with 20 already shipped, we’re on track to exceed that goal. Our 23rd container of 2024 will be the first to Africycle in Malawi, scheduled to ship in November and arrive in early 2025 after a six-week journey.
In July 2024, our Director, Charlotte Ward, visited Africycle to establish this exciting partnership. Reflecting on the experience, she said:
“I visited AfriCycle myself this year, and it was an eye-opening experience. The need for affordable, sustainable transport in Malawi is clear, and bicycles can make a big difference here. By supporting Africycle’s programmes, we’re helping to improve access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for entire communities. The impact we can have together in Malawi will be significant, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve.”
Africycle refurbishes the donated bicycles and makes them available to low-income households through affordable sales and a microloan programme. The funds generated are reinvested into local community projects, including those supporting over 500 orphaned children.
We are excited to be working with Africycle and have more containers planned for the future. This partnership will expand Africycle’s reach, improving mobility, boosting local economies, and building community resilience in Malawi.
To learn more about Africycle and our new partnership click here.