Challenges and opportunities in mobility in secondary cities in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is one of the fastest-urbanizing countries in the world. Rapid urbanization is taking place not only in its capital city, Addis Ababa, but even faster in its secondary cities. Despite this trend, national urban transport policy, capacity building and infrastructure investments have not given prominence to the secondary cities. Consequently, residents face significant challenges in their daily travel, relying primarily on walking or Bajaj, a private three-wheeler motor vehicle service. Variability of fare, worsening congestion and uncertainty of total travel time are common issues for Bajaj users, who call for regulation, particularly in areas concerning fares, coverage and driving behavior. Projected population growth and urban development are expected to increase travel demand and distance, potentially pushing up this micro-transit system against its limits, and exacerbating congestion, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and unsafe operating conditions. The paper examines the origin, structure, regulatory and financing arrangements, vehicle ownership, driver characteristics, and operating environment of the Bajaj and minibus taxi services in five secondary cities in Ethiopia: Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa, Hawassa, Jimma, and Adama. The paper also explores opportunities for transforming the operating and business model of these informal transport.