The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has set aside funds of up to US$ 2.2 million to help in funding bicycle-related innovative ideas under a project called “Tchoova Njinga Innovation Challenge”.
Under the initiative, Malawian innovators are being urged to submit ideas that can help in transforming bicycles into tools for development.
The initiative has already received a blessing from the government of Malawi which seeks to eliminate mobility challenges especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Director of administration in the ministry of gender, community development and social welfare, Ben M’bwana has since commended USAID for coming up with the initiative, saying it will greatly help in transforming the country’s transportation sector.
“In Malawi, just like any other country in the sub-Saharan Africa, over 70 percent of it’s population relies on walking as a means of transportation and a boost in bicycle-related innovations can help a lot,” M’bwana said.
Under the programme, USAID is offering two streams of funding with US$100,000 being offered for an early stage ideas and US$ 400,000 for ideas that require implementation.
“USAID is also offering participants financial and non-financial support, technical support and opportunities to engage with stakeholders,” said M’bwana.
Local innovators have up to 20 January 2025 to submit ideas.
The initiative is open to individual innovators, community leaders as well as non-state actors.
For submission, innovators are being implored to;
Email: bikes@dt-global.com
