Yamaha extends Riders for Health partnership to keep rural Africa moving
Yamaha extends partnership with Riders for Health to keep healthcare rolling through the toughest African terrain
Yamaha Motor Europe has confirmed it’s sticking with Riders for Health for another three years, continuing a partnership that’s putting motorcycles to work where they’re needed most, in the heart of rural Africa.
If you thought motorcycles were just about adrenaline and apexes, think again. Since 2022, Yamaha’s been working with Riders for Health (the NGO that delivers healthcare, quite literally, by motorcycle) to get doctors, vaccines, and vital supplies to some of the most remote corners of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Now, that collaboration is shifting up a gear, as Yamaha announces it’s extending the partnership through to 2027.
Riders for Health operates across The Gambia, Lesotho, Malawi, and Nigeria, deploying rugged, no-nonsense Yamaha AG bikes to help health workers get to places four wheels just can’t reach. From delivering malaria bed nets to supporting vaccination campaigns, these bikes are changing lives one dirt track at a time.
“It is with enthusiasm and a great dedication that we renew this partnership with Riders for Health, an organisation that has such a positive and transformative impact in African communities,” said Olivier Prévost, President and CEO of Yamaha Motor Europe. “We are honoured to continue this journey together. At Yamaha, corporate citizenship and community impact are at the heart of our company, and we believe in using our resources to help create lasting positive change. Together with Riders for Health we will continue driving meaningful change and building a more equitable future that uplifts the most underserved communities.”
Since the partnership began, Yamaha has been donating AG100 motorcycles to the charity’s programme in The Gambia - 48 of them so far and with more to come. But it doesn’t stop there. Yamaha also made Riders for Health the title partner of the Ténéré Yamaha Rally Team, helping to raise the charity’s profile at events like the Africa Eco Race.
Meanwhile, memorabilia from Yamaha riders gets passed to Two Wheels for Life, the UK-based fundraising arm of Riders, for prize draws and auctions that have already brought in more than £52,000.
Kayode Ajayi, CEO of Riders for Health, said: “We are honoured to continue our partnership with Yamaha, whose dedication to creating a positive impact on the community aligns so closely with our cause. Their commitment will not only help expand our reach but also amplify the impact we can make together.”
The new deal isn’t just about handing over bikes, Yamaha will continue assisting with fleet maintenance, fundraisers, and awareness campaigns, as well as donating more AG units directly from its stock.
In a world where motorcycles are too often seen as weekend toys, Yamaha and Riders for Health are proving they can be something far more powerful: a lifeline.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
