Behind the constant hustle and bustle of goods porters in Ambodivona, a discreet yet essential activity is thriving. The rental of handcarts and rickshaws allows many workers to transport goods for their clients daily without needing to invest in their own equipment.
The principle is simple: owners make their equipment available to porters, who use it to deliver goods to their destinations. Rental costs range from 1,500 to 3,000 ariary per trip, depending on the distance. This system relies heavily on a relationship of trust between owners and users.
Among the key players in this sector is François Rakotondrasoa, nicknamed “Fra.” A former porter, he transitioned in 2005 to manufacturing and renting handcarts and rickshaws. With years of experience, he has built a fleet of twenty units—sixteen rickshaws and four handcarts—which he makes available to porters every day.
“In this business, trust is the foundation of everything. I know almost all the porters, but if I don’t know someone, I ask for their ID card,” he explains, a precaution that helps secure his business.
Thanks to this activity, François Rakotondrasoa claims to earn an average of 80,000 ariary in daily revenue. However, the rental business is not without risks. He has previously lost a rickshaw when a porter took it and never returned. “He left with my rickshaw and disappeared,” he recounts.
Despite these incidents, demand remains steady. The rental of handcarts and rickshaws is now an important link in the informal economy of Ambodivona. It creates a synergy between owners and porters, allowing the latter to work without bearing the cost of purchasing equipment essential for daily goods transport.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-17 06:26:40 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/metier-la-location-de-charrettes.html
