Zimbabwe - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Ma Lifts ensures safe travel for Zimbabwean commuters. Unlike hitching, we connect you with verified drivers for secure long-distance and daily journeys. Drivers provide upfront trip details, including name, photo, national ID, and car registration.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Smart and Secure Travel. Unlike risky hitching, Ma Lifts connects Zimbabwean commuters with verified drivers for safe and reliable long-distance journeys and daily commutes. Safety is our priority. Drivers list their trips upfront, providing their name, photo, national ID number, and car registration. You choose your ride, see your driver's details, and verify them in person before boarding. We also keep this information on file for added peace of mind. Say goodbye to flagging down strangers with unknown backgrounds, fearing for your safety on long journeys, uncertainty about the reliability of your ride. Join the ride-sharing revolution. Ma-Lifts allows smarter, safer, and affordable travel.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

In Zimbabwe, hitch-hiking exposes commuters to safety risks like robberies, sexual abuse and even murder because they are unaware of driver identities and backgrounds. Ma Lifts tackles this by providing a platform for verified motorists to list their trips, including their ID, photo, and car registration. Commuters can book seats confidently, accessing and verifying these details before boarding. Our organization retains this information for incident management, ensuring peace of mind for all users.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Traditional hitching exposes you to unknown drivers, raising safety concerns. Public transport like buses and kombis take time to fill up. Illegal pirate taxis are often crowded posing safety risks and lack regulation. Here's why Ma Lifts is the smarter choice: 1. Unmatched Security: Unlike unregistered motorists you flag down, our drivers are verified. You see their name, photo, ID number, and car registration before booking, allowing you to verify them in person for complete peace of mind. 2. Peace of Mind: We keep a record of motorist details and track their journeys providing an extra layer of security. 3. Faster Departures: Unlike waiting for full buses, book rides with guaranteed departure times on our app. 4. Convenience on Demand: Get picked up and dropped off closer to your destination. 5. Personalized Comfort: Avoid crowded commutes. Enjoy a more comfortable ride.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our target market in Zimbabwe is twofold: 1. Commuters Seeking Safety: This primarily consists of individuals who rely on hitching for long-distance travel or daily commutes. We target Zimbabweans concerned about safety risks associated with traditional hitching, such as robbery, assault, and lack of driver information. This could include students, professionals, and those traveling to various cities and towns. 2. Ride-Sharing Motorists: We aim to attract reliable motorists who are open to sharing rides for extra income or to reduce travel costs. This could encompass professionals, or long-distance travelers with extra space in their vehicles. By creating a secure platform for both commuters and motorists, Ma Lifts caters to a broad demographic seeking a safer and more convenient travel option.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-04-08

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Our passionate team brings together the perfect blend of vision, development expertise, and business acumen. We have Malcolm Chakoma, a highly skilled software engineer with a Bachelor's degree with honors from the Harare Institute of Technology in Zimbabwe. Malcolm brings extensive experience developing websites and applications for various companies, and currently strengthens our team with his expertise as a software engineer at ZB Bank. Ruvimbo Maguta, with her BSc Honors in Administration from the University of Zimbabwe, tackles the crucial administrative aspects. Her experience as an Administration Assistant at Slice Distributors and her internship at Family Health International 360 ensure smooth operations and efficient management.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://zivanaimupamba370.wixsite.com/ma-lifts

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

2

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

2

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

3

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Ma Lifts contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of Decent Work and Economic Growth by promoting safe and reliable employment opportunities while enhancing transportation efficiency. By connecting commuters with verified drivers, Ma Lifts ensures safer travel experiences, thereby reducing risks associated with hitchhiking. This initiative supports decent work by creating formalized employment for drivers who list their trips transparently, providing their personal and vehicle details upfront. This transparency not only ensures passenger safety but also fosters trust and reliability in the transportation sector. Moreover, Ma Lifts facilitates economic growth by reducing travel uncertainties and promoting cost-effective travel options. By embracing this ride-sharing platform, users actively participate in a sustainable travel solution that enhances overall economic efficiency and safety standards within Zimbabwean communities.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

2

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Ma Lifts embodies the principles of the Sustainable Cities and Communities goal by revolutionizing transportation in Zimbabwe through safe, reliable, and inclusive practices. By connecting commuters with verified drivers, Ma Lifts enhances safety, ensuring travelers can make long-distance and daily commutes without the risks associated with hitchhiking or unreliable transportation. Drivers provide comprehensive details upfront, including their identity and vehicle information, fostering transparency and trust. This initiative promotes inclusivity by offering accessible transportation options to all, regardless of location or background, thereby reducing dependency on own vehicles and mitigating traffic congestion. Moreover, Ma Lifts contributes to building resilient communities by improving transportation reliability and efficiency, crucial for urban and rural connectivity alike.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

3

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

2

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

2

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

2

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

4

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

6

05.08 Justification

Ma Lifts connects commuters with verified drivers through a secure and user-friendly mobile application. This enhancement ensures safer and more reliable long-distance journeys and daily commutes, addressing concerns about safety and reliability that have plagued informal transport options in the region. The concept of Ma Lifts can be seen as an extension of the ride-sharing and transportation network model, but with distinct features that cater specifically to the needs of Zimbabwean commuters. While ride-sharing platforms exist globally, Ma Lifts is tailored to the local context, integrating safety measures such as upfront verification of drivers' identities, including their name, photo, national ID number, and car registration details. This level of transparency is crucial in a market where trust and safety are paramount concerns for passengers.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Our main competitors are motorists not registered on our Platform, Public Transportation (Buses, Kombis),Illegal Pirate Taxis (Mushikashika). Here's why Ma Lifts is the smarter choice: 1. Unmatched Security: Unlike unregistered motorists you flag down, our drivers are verified. You see their name, photo, ID number, and car registration before booking, allowing you to verify them in person for complete peace of mind. 2. Peace of Mind: We keep a record of motorist details and track their journeys providing an extra layer of security. 3. Faster Departures: Unlike waiting for full buses, book rides with guaranteed departure times on our app. 4. Convenience on Demand: Get picked up and dropped off closer to your destination. 5. Personalized Comfort: Avoid crowded commutes. Enjoy a more comfortable ride.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

N/A