Riders for Health: An African Success

Abstract

Riders for Health is an independent UK-based NGO that operates in a number of African countries. Its focus is on the health sector, particularly in developing ways of adapting and maintaining transport systems that are uniquely suited to African terrain and conditions. Although officially a non-profit organization, Riders operates on a business model that charges governments and NGOs for its services and uses the income for organizational growth and development. By 2007 Riders for Health had national-level projects in five countries, employing 230 individuals, managing 1,274 vehicles, and reaching an impressive 10.8 million individuals with more and better healthcare services.This brief paper studies the Riders model and analyzes and evaluates the impact of the organization. Possible avenues of further research are briefly alluded to in the concluding section.