PROJECTS: SISTER SHOPS

BEN Namibia partners with bicycle shops across the country

Small entrepreneurs - Overview
BEN Namibia aims to achieve its goal of national bicycle distribution by starting bike shops in partnership with CBOs and local entrepreneurs.

The bike shops benefit through selling BEN Namibia’s refurbished bikes in the communities where they operate, and the communities benefit through access to affordable bikes. BEN Namibia supports partners with training in bike mechanics, allowing them to expand their income generation potential and employ community members.

We have successful relationships with independent bicycle dealers who are growing their businesses through our partnership, and through leveraging other support. For example, BEN Namibia has worked with Mike's Bikes, a US bicycle retailer, to help develop bicycle enterprises in Botswana and Namibia.

More about Entrepreneurs
BEN Namibia works with with existing entrepreneurs who have already started small bicycle repair businesses, usually out of their own house, or in many cases, shack. These entrepreneurs are hardworking and committed, but lack the capital to purchase bicycles for resale, and often lack knowledge of and access to specialist tools. BEN Namibia supports these entrepreneurs by providing them with specialist tools, training in their use and access to affordable bicycles and spare parts.

You Can Help
Support options for a sister arrangement with an existing entrepreneur could include:

• Sponsoring tool purchase
• Subsidising the cost of purchasing bicycles for resale
• Sponsoring a business skills training course