In many countries where HOPE International works, entrepreneurs in the transportation sector are often overlooked by traditional financial institutions. For instance, a taxi driver who aspires to purchase his or her own vehicle might put in long hours to make ends meet, but without access to business loans, it can be a long or even impossible road to achieve that dream.
That’s why HOPE is listening to the needs of those in this sector—and creating tailored services to help these entrepreneurs pursue their dreams.
Empowering stigmatized motorcyclists in Tanzania to save—and drive safely
Boda boda riders at the launch ceremony
In Tanzania, boda boda (“motorcycle”) drivers transport people and goods by motorbike. But since most drivers are young and untrained, serious accidents are common. Few drivers attend church. According to Anna Makundi, HOPE Tanzania’s country director, even their families avoid them because of the group’s reputation for engaging in risky behavior.
HOPE is taking a different approach—instead of a group to be pushed to the margins, we saw a community in need of support and hope. In 2024, we partnered with five local Tanzanian churches to invite boda boda riders into savings groups. We also provided them with specialized training in road and driving safety. We praise God for each of the 50 riders we have served to date.
And we didn’t stop there. In late 2024, HOPE Tanzania held a formal launch ceremony for these groups. They invited local police, a doctor, and government officials to educate the riders on the best driving techniques. Our local team also distributed reflective safety t-shirts for drivers to wear with Bible verses on them.
Anna has high hopes for boda boda riders: “When they join [savings groups], they will hear the Word of God and they will be transformed, and life will be different.”
Creating tailored loans for taxi drivers in the Republic of Congo
Barrot Nzingoula, a taxi owner served by HOPE Congo
Further east, in the Republic of Congo, HOPE’s local microfinance institution identified another underserved group that plays a critical role transportation sector: taxi drivers. A popular career in Congo, taxi driving is widely considered a helpful path out of poverty—but drivers can rarely access business loans from traditional banks to grow their income.
In 2020, HOPE Congo met with over 1,000 taxi drivers to ask about their goals, needs, and challenges. We found that the majority of drivers (77%) were employees and aspired to become owners! In the same survey, most drivers expressed interest in an average loan of $5,350 U.S.—which covered about 90% of the cost of a taxi at the time.
Using that data, the HOPE Congo team got to work and created a customer-centered loan product with flexible repayment options: the mopila (“driver”) loan.
Within two years, HOPE Congo had disbursed the mopila loan to multiple drivers to help them pursue their dreams of owning their own taxis. Customers praised the loan product, saying, “there is flexibility in the repayments” and “when I repay this loan, I am very comfortable and there is no pressure.”
Helping a Filipino couple launch their dream trucking business
Liza, with one of her employees
20 years ago, Liza dela Cruz and her family struggled to live off of her husband’s salary as a truck driver. Liza sometimes sold fish at the market, but the extra income still wasn’t enough to provide for their two children. In 2005, Liza joined the Center for Community Transformation (CCT), HOPE’s microfinance partner in the Philippines, with the dream of starting a business.
For three long years, Liza and her husband prayed to start their own trucking business. And in 2009, God answered that prayer! They started by buying one truck, but with loans that gradually grew in size to $8,720, the couple gradually built a fleet of six trucks.
“CCT helped me by providing additional capital, which allowed my business to grow. … Whenever I think about how the Lord has blessed me through CCT, I’m moved to tears.”
Liza’s business growth didn’t just change her family’s life—it rippled outward to bless others. She created jobs, supported her two nephews through school, and even gave her old home to her siblings when her family moved into a new one.
“As my family, children, siblings, churchmates, and fellowship group see the blessings of the Lord in their lives, [I hope] they too will give back and help others even more. I hope to leave a legacy of kindness, generosity, and love for others.”
At HOPE, we believe that when underserved entrepreneurs access the right opportunities, they can transform their communities.
Entrepreneurs in the transportation business fuel economic growth and increase access to markets, employment, and essential services. Whether helping taxi drivers purchase their own vehicles or teaching motorcyclists to be safe on the road, we are committed to empowering capable men and women to drive their communities forward and leave behind the struggle of poverty.
Hungry for more stories of hardworking people using HOPE’s discipleship, training, savings services, and loans to break the cycle of poverty? Register to join us at one of our regional events! Or, give now to help more entrepreneurs access HOPE’s Christ-centered financial tools and pursue their dreams.
