Existing insurance companies in Burundi are operational, but they do not yet cover the risks associated with bicycle-taxi transport. The bicycle-taxi trade provides a livelihood for a large number of Bujumbura’s residents. It has become a primary means of transport for low-income earners, used for commuting to work and taking children to school. All these individuals, as well as the owners of these bicycle-taxis, require civil liability protection to guarantee their safety in the event of an accident. Indeed, bicycle-taxi riders lament that their insurance coverage is overlooked, even though this activity is vital for their families’ survival and contributes to the national economy.
During a visit on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, to a bicycle-taxi stand located in the Kinama zone of Ntahangwa commune, we spoke with Chanel Habarugira, one of the riders. Met in Kinama, Mr. Habarugira deplored the fact that the bicycle-taxi profession has been excluded from the scope of risk coverage by insurance companies, which imposes significant constraints on his daily work.
In the event of a serious accident, if a critically injured bicycle-taxi driver is transported to the hospital, he must cover the costs out of his own pocket.
Furthermore, there is poor coexistence with motorcycle and car drivers. Some of them harass bicycle-taxi drivers, provoking them with words like: “I can kill you because I am insured, and your bike will just be scrapped. You’ll have no choice but to go back to the countryside to herd cattle,” he recounts bitterly.
Insurance for these bicycle-taxi drivers is therefore a vital necessity. It would provide a solution to protect both their lives and their tools of trade. Moreover, the bicycle has become a costly investment; according to Mr. Habarugira, it is purchased at a price ranging between 700,000 BIF and 1,000,000 BIF.
According to data collected from the Burundi Road Safety Police (PSR), 57 bicycle-taxi accidents were recorded between January and November 2025.
Article 114 of the Insurance Code of July 17, 2020, stipulates that: « In matters of life insurance, personal accident insurance, and health insurance, the insured sums are fixed by the contract, except in cases where the amounts to be allocated are determined based on the actual damage suffered. »
The perspective of insurance companies
According to the Commercial Director of the Insurance Company of Burundi (SOCABU), Mr. Mélance Cishako, the company has identified the lack of insurance for bicycle-taxi drivers as a major social and economic risk in Burundi.
In its report of declared claims for the 2024 fiscal year, there were 19 recorded accident victims across all types of vehicles, including 4 fatalities involving bicycle-taxi drivers and 15 injured victims.
During the 2025 fiscal year, he noted that 16 accidents involving bicycle taxi drivers and 3 deaths have already been recorded.
Cishako pointed out that these bicycle taxi drivers are sometimes identified as victims by policyholders with “Comprehensive” (Omnium) insurance who report the damages caused.
He is calling on cyclists’ associations to contribute to this insurance company to gain access to what he calls “Group Personal Accident Insurance,” which covers issues faced by associations, teams, and others. “If there is no association, I advise those who wish to do so to come together and form a group,” he suggested. He also emphasized that the lack of an insurance culture among many Burundians is a major hurdle that hinders the understanding of insurance benefits in Burundi.
The Commercial Director of SOCABU added that bicycle taxi drivers represent a high-loss category because they are highly exposed. Furthermore, “if the risk is very high, insurers are reluctant,” he stressed.
The legal framework and regulatory obstacles
According to Hasmani Ndayishimiye, Head of Marketing and Customer Relations at Business Insurance and Reinsurance (BIC), current regulations require the insurance of ground-based vehicles, including automobiles and self-propelled machinery. However, bicycle taxis do not fall into this category, he explained, while clarifying that it is nonetheless possible to insure the drivers themselves against accidents.
According to Mr. Ndayishimiye, the primary obstacle for these operators is the current legislation and traffic laws, which do not currently take them into account. He points out that this legal vacuum makes it difficult to include their assets (bicycle taxis) in insurance policies, even as they have become increasingly expensive. The Head of Marketing and Customer Relations at BIC Insurance Agency also specifies that the risk associated with bicycle taxi riders is high because, as he notes, they frequently violate traffic regulations.
Given that this profession contributes to the survival of families and individuals by providing income, and participates in the country’s economic development through tax payments, Hasmani Ndayishimiye believes that insuring this profession must not be overlooked.
Regarding the observations of accident victims among these bicycle taxi riders, BIC Insurance’s position is that they should be properly regulated. It is necessary to revise their legal framework and the highway code to allow them to be fully insured (covering both the victims and their bicycles).
During the year 2025, BIC Insurance has already recorded five accident victims among bicycle taxi riders, Hasmani Ndayishimiye continued, adding that the insurance agency is ready to reach out to these operators. He noted that a campaign has already been conducted in Gitega province to raise awareness about subscribing to personal injury insurance, just like any other entrepreneur or individual.
According to Mr. Ndayishimiye, BIC Insurance’s constant goal is for all Burundians to be insured, including bicycle taxi riders, as they contribute to the nation’s development.
Denis NTIHINDAGIZWA