How boda boda riders can know if their work is profitable

A boda boda rider can be busy from morning to evening and still not make much profit. The reason is simple: profit is not the same as money collected. Profit is what remains after business costs.

Many riders remember the total fares, but forget the small costs. Fuel, repairs, tyre replacement, oil, parking, phone bundles, lunch, loan payments and occasional fines all reduce the real amount earned.

A good profit check starts with total income, then subtracts business expenses. If the rider does not record expenses, it is easy to overestimate earnings.

Simple profit example

• Total fares received: KSh 3,200.
• Fuel: KSh 800.
• Lunch and water: KSh 250.
• Daily loan payment: KSh 600.
• Repair savings: KSh 300.
• Estimated profit before personal spending: KSh 1,250.

What to watch carefully

• Fuel costs that rise over time.
• Frequent repairs.
• Loan payments that reduce daily cash.
• Personal spending mixed with business money.
• M-PESA fares that are withdrawn and spent without records.

How Bizwazi helps

• Bizwazi can record each income and expense category, then help the rider review daily, weekly and monthly performance.
• This makes it easier to know whether the boda boda work is improving or becoming too expensive to run.