When I was younger, my friends and I used to say ‘Qaqi Mai’ when we were ‘choking’ each other for bus fare, a teasing way to say, ‘walk home’! But aspiring businessman Eliki Dakuitoga is giving the expression a much deeper meaning.
Dakuitoga is the brains behind Qaqi Mai, a company which seeks to be Fiji’s first bike sharing venture. He was inspired during his daily bus commute from Nausori to Suva, as he witnessed scenes that deeply moved him and inspired him to create a sustainable and ecofriendly solution.
“Back in 2019, I joined the busloads of people commuting around 4-5am from Nausori to Suva. Seeing the burdensome faces of my kin and understanding the sacrifices to do what must be done, moved me.” Dakuitoga was reminded of his family’s humble beginnings travelling up and down the Sigatoka valley road.
This gruelling commute was the inspiration for establishing Qaqi Mai: Bike Share (Fiji). ‘Qaqi Mai’ in the native Fijian tongue means ‘to peddle’, ‘walk it’, or my personal favourite, ‘grind it!’ Dakuitoga shares.
Bringing the vision to life
Armed with what he knew was a good idea, Dakuitoga threw himself into research.
He recalls “typing away in the night with the company of Dr Google and the comfort of my wife’s aura by my side.” Dakuitoga drew up a business plan which he then submitted to the Fiji government’s Young Entreprenership Scheme (YES).
A 15-month wait followed.
“Mind you, within these 15 months, I’d sought help and support from all sides of the entrepreneurial world [so] that even if the Greek God, Zeus needed an audience, I was on my feet to pitch Qaqi Mai: Bike Share for his travels across the skies instead of his quadriga chariot!
“I was reaching out to hotels, schools, businesses, NGOs, and government organisations trying to get them on board while waiting for feedback from the YES panel.”
His research led him to what he believes is the best start-up bicycle for Fiji, the M-Bike V8. The bicycles feature anti-theft nuts and bolts, a world-class GPS system to track the bike movements in real time, puncture-proof, maintenance-free tyres, a 3-speed mechanical transmission with internal gears, and dynamo wheel to power built-in LED lights.
In late February 2020, Dakuitoga finally got some good news. A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Youth Co-Lab program was seeking pitches. He cut his 45-slide presentation into a 3-minute pitch and won the prize for the most innovative pitch.
However his proposal to YES was unsuccessful.
“My expectations for seed funding, the networks I’d formed with partners in different sectors and the faces of my kinsmen and women on the bus every morning clogged up my head.
A philosophical Dakuitoga now says he believes this setback was for the best, and it inspired him to improve.
He tried again, this time applying for support from GGGI Pacific (Global Green Growth Institute).
This time, he was successful. “Of the 207 applications for the GGGI Pacific Greenpreneur Program, 21 applicants made it through. We’re to commit to a five-month program of workshops and study courses to fine-tune our business ideas.”
He speaks highly of the GGGI program, and particularly the training from people with their own, real-life business experience, adding, “God’s speed by Graduation in February 2023, Qaqi Mai would be amongst the five competing for the seed funding of US$5K which is roughly around FJ$10K.”
But he also hopes the Fiji government will reconsider its support to Qaqi Mai: Bike Share, given it has been recognised by both UNDP and the GGGI Pacific Greenpreneur Program.
Dakuitoga plans to pilot the scheme next year, starting at university campuses and hotels.
He believes this phase will help convince people about the viability of bikes as a form of transportation.
“In the next 5-10 years, we envision Qaqi Mai as Fiji’s leading green transportation mobility provider. Our future plans include the introduction of electric bikes, scooters, and carts, leading in technology, infrastructure, and the future of travelling green, travelling clean.”
This is an abridged version of an article that can be found at www.pacificmakete.com.fj
