Supporting Communities Through Bikes and Training
Africycle, Malawi | April 2026
Re-Cycle Malawi Trip
In April 2026, Re-Cycle’s Charlotte Ward and Marc Leeks visited Malawi for a second consecutive trip to strengthen our growing partnership with Africycle. The visit focused on building relationships, delivering hands-on mechanic training, and seeing first-hand the impact of donated bikes in communities.
Re-Cycle Malawi Trip
Marc led three days of technical training with Africycle’s workshop team, covering hydraulic brakes, headset servicing and suspension repairs. The sessions built on the mechanics’ existing skills, boosting confidence and ensuring bikes can be maintained to a high standard long-term.
Re-Cycle Malawi Trip
Re-Cycle Malawi Trip
Alongside this, meetings with Africycle’s leadership provided valuable insight into their operating model and future plans. In a country where many people live on very low incomes and transport costs are high, access to affordable bicycles is essential for reaching work, school, healthcare and markets.
During the trip, the team visited rural communities where bicycles are widely used to earn an income and support daily life. Africycle’s programmes are already making a strong impact — from supporting school attendance and healthcare access to enabling small businesses and community initiatives.
Re-Cycle Malawi Trip
Gender Champions: Reaching Communities
One key programme focuses on tackling gender-based violence, combining digital case management with community outreach. Local “gender champions” use bicycles to travel between villages, raising awareness and connecting people to support services.
They work in pairs — one male and one female — ensuring that everyone feels comfortable speaking about sensitive issues. With bikes, they can reach more communities, more often, while also using them to support their own income-generating activities.
Re-Cycle Malawi Trip
Village Agents and the Loan Scheme
Village agents play an important role in expanding access to bikes. They monitor the loan programme and actively engage with communities, particularly women, to see if they are interested in joining.
The loan scheme allows people to pay for a bike over time, making it far more accessible. It is proving to be a popular, reliable and sustainable model, ensuring those who need bikes most can afford them.
Re-Cycle Malawi Trip
Meet the Beneficiaries
Linley and Mary are both beneficiaries of Africycle’s bike loan scheme. They have each had their bikes for around a year and use them to support their businesses, selling tomatoes at the local market.
Both were able to pay for their bikes over four months — something that wouldn’t have been possible upfront. Linley has two children and Mary has four, and the bikes are helping them generate income and support their families, while also reducing everyday transport costs.
Re-Cycle Malawi Trip
Ghana
A Growing Partnership
Africycle has strong links with communities across southern Malawi, and their model continues to grow in reach and impact.
Overall, the trip highlighted the increasing demand for affordable transport and the importance of sustainable solutions. Through training, ongoing collaboration, and future shipments, this partnership continues to expand. Helping more people access reliable transport, improve their livelihoods, and support their families.
