How Electric Tricycles are Reclaiming Mobility for Nigerian Women

When, in 2025, 19-year-old Zainab Abubakar advanced to 200 Level in the Department of History and International Studies at Northwest University in Kano State, North-West Nigeria, her mind started drifting towards what to do to make her own income. ‘To be a supportive daughter,’ she said. ‘Because it’s not everything that I should be relying on my parents to give me.’

But she had no money to start a business.

A few weeks later, her sister Hajiya Fatima, who has a connection with the Mata Zalla Cooperative Society — a Kano-based women’s collective which launched a women-only electric tricycle transport system where women can travel safely while also earning a livelihood in an industry historically dominated by men — reached out to her with the ‘She-Ride’ (the name given to women riders in the region) offer, which she unhesitatingly accepted.

Zainab is one of the 120 women riders trained and supported with pink tricycles through a partnership between The Alternative Bank, The UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the Qoray electric mobility company, an initiative spearheaded by the Mata Zalla Cooperative Society in the culturally conservative Kano, northern Nigeria’s most populous city and commercial hub; a region where religious customs and cultural rules completely lock women out of transport jobs. However, across the country, women have repeatedly complained that men harass them on public transit. This strips away their freedom, and makes their everyday routines like going to work, school, or the market a serious challenge.

This exclusion prevents them from working in the male-dominated sector, thereby leaving them with conventional commuting options that often expose them to high rates of commuter harassment and property snatching. ‘Women face many difficulties [in conventional transport], so we realised that this was a profitable business that women were not benefiting from. Knowing that we have strong women, I spearheaded the initiative to provide economic opportunities for women and ease their mobility challenges,’ Hauwa Ahmad Tarauni, the co-founder of the Mata Zalla Cooperative Society, told FairPlanet on a phone call.

The Impact of the Scheme

On a drizzling afternoon in July 2026, Zainab stood beside the wheel of a tricycle at the Mata Zalla Cooperative Society’s head office, reminiscing about the journey so far. ‘At this stage, I no longer wait for my parents to purchase reading materials, pay for my transport whenever I’m going out, or give me extra money when I’m going to school,’ she told FairPlanet. ‘I’m capable of affording it myself.’

Apart from helping Zainab reclaim her financial independence, she has also found a space where she can sit with fellow young women and chat about life. ‘Due to electricity shortages and the scorching heatwaves in the state, the uninterrupted solar power in our office provides us with a conducive atmosphere to rest,’ she said.

However, Sumayya Ishak, a native of Sabuwar Gandu in Kano State who joined the scheme in January 2025, noted that apart from being financially stable, one of her most rewarding experiences so far is seeing women passengers comfortably chatting as she drives them. ‘It gives me a sense of belonging as a woman myself, because I know they wouldn't be that carefree in a man’s drive,’ she said.

In Nigeria, women comprise roughly half of the national population, yet they remain systematically excluded from full economic participation. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Gender Inequality Research, Nigeria loses significant economic momentum due to structural gender disparities. The IMF estimates that Nigeria’s real GDP per capita growth could be 1.25 percentage points higher annually if the country reduced its gender gap to match its regional African peers.

This deep-seated economic empowerment gap is sustained by rigid structural and cultural barriers and customary practices. This has resulted in positioning more women than men at the base of the economic ladder, working as domestic servants, petty traders, unpaid daily labourers, or short-term contract workers. These roles, while essential to local economies, offer little financial security, reinforcing the gendered income gap across Nigeria’s informal sector.

While the federal government’s National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy outlines vital structural reforms, execution continues to lag behind systemic reality. The Mata Zalla Cooperative Society eyes this gap, and now through their initiative, many young and middle-aged women are pushing to challenge these barriers.

The Growing Challenges

Despite its impact, the scheme faces growing challenges, including electricity shortages to power the batteries. ‘Our biggest challenge is the lack of stable electricity, which hinders us from recharging the batteries,’ the co-founder, Hauwa, noted. ‘We have stable solar power, but it's not always enough, especially in the rainy and winter seasons.’

Not just that. On that drizzling afternoon in July, Zainab remarked that most women passengers are not interested in patronizing the scheme. ‘Because we're women, most of them are afraid of the way we drive — not because we weren't trained, but because most women don't drive here,’ she said.

This has led the cooperative to sponsor advertorial and advocacy programs on different radio stations in the state, including Nagarta, one of the stations most listened to by women; yet, the barrier has not been addressed. ‘For this reason, we've had to start taking male passengers to be able to pay the agreed sum for the vehicles at the stipulated time,’ Zainab said.

Yet, Hope Remains

To overcome the pressing challenges and ensure the long-term success of the initiative, experts emphasise that strategic technical, financial, and social interventions are critical. Dr. Hadiza Shettima, a seasoned agricultural expert with a focus on climate finance, waste management, and the circular economy, highlights that renewable energy is the most practical solution to Kano's grid limitations.

She said the most practical solution to Kano's frequent electricity grid limitations is renewable energy. Solar-powered microgrids, combined with battery energy storage systems, can provide consistent power for battery-swapping stations while reducing dependence on the national grid. ‘Technically, stations should be designed with smart energy management systems, standardised battery technology, and remote monitoring to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.’

To combat the cultural and operational pushback, Jamila Musa, a gender, community development, and social inclusion specialist based in Kano State, emphasises that the scheme is a profound social innovation. She said, ‘It allows women to move independently while dramatically reducing concerns about harassment, unwanted public interactions, and transport-related insecurity.’

However, to address the lack of cooperation these drivers face from female passengers, Jamila suggests immediate implementation of clear policies which will create awareness among women passengers to trust their fellow women. ‘There's a need for regular training on how to navigate [transport] challenges,’ she said. ‘Transport unions should formally recognise the system and balance powers.’

Jamila further notes that the impact of this scheme stretches far beyond financial independence. Because an empowered woman with financial stability earns greater respect, increases her decision-making power within her family and society, and serves as a vital role model for young girls looking to thrive in male-dominated sectors.

For drivers like Zainab, who are turning constraints into economic opportunities that champion female safety, the goal is to create a secure, harassment-free mobility environment for women by stepping into the male-dominated field. Driving has provided the financial independence to support her family while delivering a vital community service. ‘The time to challenge this barrier is now,’ she confidently notes. ‘At least to prove that women can safely control their livelihoods and support one another.’