With delivery motorcycles now a common sight on South Africa's roads, the industry is poised for further growth. This rise in delivery bikes began during the Covid-19 lockdowns when the demand for home-delivered goods surged. Today, as many as 50,000 delivery motorcycles operate across the country each day, a number expected to double over the next few years as more businesses expand their customer services.
Advantages of Local Production
Currently, South Africa imports all its delivery motorcycles, which leads to higher costs and vehicles that may not fully comply with South African regulations. Craig Langton, founder of the Fire It Up Group, sees untapped potential for South Africa in this delivery motorbike sector—not just as an end-user but as a producer. Langton believes the country could transition into a manufacturing hub for delivery motorcycles, a shift that would have broad economic benefits.
Langton points out that establishing local manufacturing could allow for the production of motorcycles specifically designed to meet South African safety and quality standards. “Building motorcycles here could help create a sustainable industry and provide opportunities for job creation and innovation,” Langton shared in a recent interview.
Though South Africa has regulations on motorbike standards, there are no local testing facilities to confirm that imported bikes meet these requirements. If manufactured domestically, these motorcycles could be assured of compliance with national standards, offering a reliable and affordable solution to local businesses.
Economic and Employment Impact
Building a delivery motorcycle production facility would create significant employment opportunities in the manufacturing, supply chain, and maintenance sectors. Additionally, South Africa could use existing trade agreements to export motorcycles throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which includes 16 neighboring countries that currently import two-wheelers from India and China. By producing motorcycles locally, South Africa could reduce import reliance and generate substantial revenue from exports.
Langton has begun talks with the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition to explore this idea further. While support from industry stakeholders is promising, Langton acknowledges that the process is progressing slowly. However, he remains hopeful that South Africa could establish a competitive motorcycle manufacturing industry that not only meets local demand but also creates economic growth.
The Road Ahead
Developing a local motorcycle manufacturing industry would bring multiple benefits, including job creation, improved quality standards, and increased economic output. The country has the potential to become a major player in the regional motorcycle market by offering reliable, locally-made delivery vehicles to businesses both within and beyond South Africa. With support from both industry leaders and the government, this vision could soon become a reality.
