Velafrica not only exports bicycles and spare parts to Africa, but also knowledge. Together with our partners in Burkina Faso, Madagascar and Tanzania, we are opening bicycle workshops and setting up vocational training programs. In those programs, future bike mechanics gain their professional knowledge. At the same time, seasoned mechanics can train to become trainers themselves.
Establishment of a national vocational training program in Burkina Faso
As there was a lack of structures for a vocational training program in bicycle mechanics in Burkina Faso, we developed a new two-year program together with the national bicycle association and the education authorities. The vocational programme was officially recogniced in December 2020. As a first step, Velafrica trained vocational trainers.
Pauline Yameogo is one of those vocational trainers. Her bike shop is doing well and she loves to teach her ten apprentices.
“My job provides a living for me and my family. For a long time, it was not common for women to work as bike mechanics, but now I’m noticing that the industry is changing. More and more young women are interested in the profession and are discovering their interest in mechanics.”
Michel Ducommun, project manager of the vocational training program, explains: “The heart of the program is Velafrica’s partner Faso Velo as a vocational training hub. We also work with around 180 local workshops where more than 400 young people complete their practical training.” The first apprentices completed their training in spring 2025.
The training programs follow the dual vocational training approach: the apprentices receive their basic training in the local workshops. Once a week, they attend theory lessons in one of almost 30 vocational training workshops. Velafrica has equipped these workshops to meet the needs of teaching.
Around ten percent of the more than 400 apprentices are women. At our partner company Faso Velo, the national reference center for vocational training in bicycle mechanics, there are even exclusively female apprentices.
Receiving the ENTERPRIZE International
The vocational training program in Burkina Faso was awarded the ENTERPRIZE International in September 2024. This prize recognizes innovative vocational training projects in international cooperation. The vocational training program initiated by us and developed with Burkinabe partners from the industry convinced the jury, among other things, because of its transferability to other industries and countries. The innovation in the project lies in the dual vocational training approach, which is intended to strengthen the entire bicycle sector.
Facts & figures
Vocational training program in Burkina Faso
Project active since 2020
Project country Burkina Faso
Project partner Faso Velo
Apprenticeships at Faso Vélo 3
Apprenticeship companies 180
Vocational training workshops 30
Apprentices 400 (November 2024)
Of which female 10%
Level of training 72% of apprentices receive their initial training in the program
Trained vocational trainers 26 (November 2024)
Made possible thanks to the Catholic Church of Bern and other institutions, private donors
Sustainable Development Goals The vocational training project has a direct impact on the following United Nations SDGs: 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.
