About
Contact

From Buses to Business: How I’d Do West Africa Differently Next Time

,
, , ,

From Buses to Business: How I’d Do West Africa Differently Next Time

After four weeks of buses, taxis, border chaos, scattered ATMs, and currency gymnastics… I’ve been thinking:

If I ever did this again—this wild road journey from Morocco through Mauritania into Senegal, maybe even further south—I wouldn’t just travel.

I’d trade. (If anyone has done similar things, would love to see comments and suggestions)

Step One: Buy a Vehicle in Europe

Honestly, when I look at the cost of transportation for a family of five (flights, buses, drivers), it starts to make sense to buy a vehicle in Europe, drive it down, and then sell it in West Africa—where foreign cars, especially used European ones, are in high demand.

Here’s what I’d do: (Chat GPT Helped)

Where to Buy a Cheap but Reliable Used Vehicle in Europe:

  1. Spain (especially southern Spain—Algeciras, Malaga):
    • Close to the Morocco crossing
    • Many diesel vans, 4x4s, and utility vehicles available
    • Sites: Milanuncios.com, Wallapop, Autocasion, Facebook Marketplace
  2. Germany:
    • Known for well-maintained cars
    • Bigger supply, cheaper pricing
    • Sites: mobile.de, autoscout24.com
  3. France:
    • Common to find older Peugeot, Renault, Citroën vehicles—easy to repair in North/West Africa
    • Look for listings in border towns close to Spain

Ideal Vehicles for West Africa:

  • Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
  • Mitsubishi Pajero
  • Peugeot Partner / Citroën Berlingo (Diesel)
  • Old Mercedes Sprinter vans
  • 4×4 pickups like Hilux or D-Max

Estimated Cost in Europe:

  • €2,000–€4,000 for older, high-mileage but reliable models
  • €5,000–€7,000 for something in better shape and resale-worthy

Step Two: Fill the Vehicle with Goods to Sell

Since you’d be driving through multiple countries with customs checkpoints, you want items that are light, high-margin, useful, and hard to find locally. Here are ideas:

Items to Consider Bringing from Europe:

  1. Used Laptops & Phones (I like this!)
    • Massive demand, especially for students
    • Buy refurbished bulk from Europe or Facebook groups
  2. Bicycles or E-scooters (Too big?)
    • Foldable bikes or small scooters resell well in African cities
  3. Solar Chargers / Power Banks (like!)
    • Off-grid communities need power; small-scale solar is huge
  4. Secondhand Tools (Drills, Saws, Construction Equipment) (Like..)
    • Traders and craftsmen will pay good money for quality tools
  5. Sports Equipment (Soccer gear, balls, cleats)
    • Popular everywhere
  6. Quality Used Clothing & Shoes
    • There’s already a booming secondhand clothing market—target premium, not just bales
  7. Camping Gear
    • If you don’t sell it, use it
    • If you do, resell it in tourist areas or to overlanders
  8. Non-Perishable Gourmet Food (Olive oil, European chocolates, etc.)
    • Niche, but high-margin for the expat/local upper class

Step Three: Sell the Car and Exit Smart

Once you reach a strategic hub—maybe Dakar, Banjul (Gambia), or even Abidjan (Ivory Coast)—you sell:

  1. The vehicle (you’ve now used for weeks)
  2. The goods you brought
  3. Possibly even parts of your gear: power banks, bags, tech accessories

Where to Sell the Car

  • Dakar, Senegal: Big expat and NGO presence, good demand
  • Nouakchott, Mauritania: Less competition, but more red tape
  • Banjul, Gambia: Easier English-speaking market
  • Cotonou, Benin or Abidjan, Ivory Coast: Massive trade markets

What If It Wasn’t Just a Trip?

What if you could roadschool your kids while road-trading across the continent?
What if instead of a trip that cost you $10k+, it was one that paid for itself?

What if this was a business model instead of just a bucket list?

Your kids wouldn’t just see the world—they’d see how it works.
How supply meets demand.
How trust is built across languages.
How trade is the original connection between cultures.

Final Thoughts

Next time, I don’t want to just pass through.
I want to build bridges, make trades, leave value, and teach my kids that you can travel with intention.

We came to West Africa this time as travelers.
But maybe next time…

We come as traveler-traders.

Entrepreneurs on the move.

And who knows… maybe that truck we drive down is the start of something much bigger.

Leave a comment