Boda-Boda / Okada Daily Income Calculator

A typical Nairobi boda-boda rider doing 20 trips/day at KSh 150 average earns roughly KSh 3,000/day gross. After fuel (~KSh 600/day), maintenance allowance (~KSh 150/day), and bike hire if not owned (~KSh 300/day), net income is approximately KSh 1,950-2,250/day or KSh 50,000-58,000/month. Income varies significantly by location — CBD riders earn more per trip but face higher competition.

Lagos okada riders typically do 25 trips/day at ₦400-600 average fare, earning ₦10,000-15,000/day gross. After fuel (~₦2,500/day at ₦750/litre), bike hire if applicable (~₦1,500-2,000/day), and maintenance (~₦500/day), net income is roughly ₦6,000-10,000/day or ₦150,000-260,000/month. Note: okadas are banned in certain areas of Lagos Island, Abuja CBD, and other locations.

Owning is almost always more profitable long-term. A new motorcycle in Kenya costs KSh 80,000-150,000. If hiring costs KSh 300/day, you pay KSh 7,800/month — that's KSh 93,600/year in hire fees. A KSh 120,000 motorcycle, if financed through a SACCO or mobile loan at 18% for 2 years, would have monthly payments of ~KSh 6,000, which is less than hiring. After 2-3 years, you own the asset.

Key daily costs: (1) Fuel — typically 15-20% of gross revenue, (2) Bike hire if not owned — often 10-15% of revenue, (3) Maintenance allowance — tyres, oil, brakes typically KSh 3,000-5,000/month in Kenya, (4) Insurance — mandatory third-party is ~KSh 5,000-8,000/year in Kenya, (5) SACCO or association fees — common in Kenya and Uganda. Total expenses are typically 35-55% of gross revenue for hired bikes, 20-30% for owned bikes.