To better understand the three-wheeler market in Liberia, Emergi conducted a market survey among kekeh drivers in 2018. A team of four curious people spent 2 months in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, where they conducted 33+ interviews and site visits. This research gave us the insights we needed into understanding this part of the transportation sector. 

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In Liberia, an average kekeh driver works for about 12 to 16 hours per day, six days per week, meaning these drivers spend a large part of their days cruising around in these three-wheeler vehicles. 

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Only a small fraction of drivers are able to purchase a kekeh upfront, which is why most people drive a kekeh that is owned by someone else. This person consequently takes a majority of the profits. As a result, most drivers can generate an income of $19-$22 on a full day of driving and of that at least $13 is claimed by the owner of the kekeh. After gasoline costs, police bribes and permit expenses most drivers are left with an average of $3 USD per day. 

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With such poor income prospects, drivers are unable to climb the socioeconomic ladder when they do not own the vehicle. However, owning a vehicle comes with its own risks. Traffic in the city of Monrovia is chaotic and crowded, which leads to many bumps and scratches. An average kekeh only lasts approximately one year and five months.

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This short life span is in part due to the low quality of three-wheelers available on the market. Currently, the main companies selling kekehs on the Liberian market are Bajaj and TVS, who offer guarantees varying from six to twelve months. This is extremely insufficient for Liberian conditions in which kekehs barely outlast the guarantee period. 

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During Emergi’s research among drivers, we also heard other challenges that they faced: the price of spare parts, the risk of accidents, problems with their eyesight and breathing, and the exposure to noise pollution causing ear pain.

Research published in the International Journal of Environmental Science and Development in October of 2011 concluded that drivers of rickshaws are exposed to sounds exceeding 89 dBa for long periods of time, which lead to acute hearing problems and long term hearing loss. They also concluded that this has a high impact on traffic safety as drivers lose the ability to distinguish sounds such as honks, warning shouts and upcoming traffic.  

Emergi wants to improve the state of the kekeh market today by introducing high quality kehkeh’s under affordable usage schemes which will lead to drivers owning their own vehicle. We also want to improve health and safety for all road users by aiding the transition to clean and quite electric vehicles. 

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