Ebaide Joy Udoh, a Nigerian adventurer, storyteller and content creator with a deep desire to explore Africa from the inside out is a graduate of Criminology and Social Works. She is on a mission to complete the longest solo motorcycle journey across Africa by a woman. In this interview with ADEOLA OJO, she speaks about her life as a female biker on a solo trip round Africa.
What influenced your decision to be a biker?
My journey into biking didn’t start on two wheels; it began with my feet. I started as a backpacker, travelling through West Africa, then East Africa. Eventually, I moved to Kenya, sold all my belongings in Nigeria, and built a camper van to continue my travels. After that, I got a Tuk Tuk and explored even more. It was during my time riding the Tuk Tuk that the idea of getting a motorcycle came to me. I bought one and the moment I rode it, I felt a kind of freedom I had never known before. That freedom has guided me ever since.
Why are you touring 54 African countries on a bike?
I am doing that because I want to experience Africa beyond the borders. I want to see and show the world that we are more connected than divided. I’m doing it on a bike because it forces me to go slow, to be present and to truly immerse myself in each country, one road at a time; and most importantly, to inspire a new wave of daring African women to dream without limits.
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What have you learnt in your tours?
I have learnt that Africa is not a monolith. Every country has its own rhythm, its own soul. I have also learnt that kindness is universal, even where language fails. And perhaps most importantly, I have learnt that courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s moving forward in spite of it.
Why did you start from Kenya and not Nigeria since you are a Nigerian?
Kenya was the most strategic starting point for the route I envisioned. I started on March 8, that is the International Women’s Day and I wanted that date to symbolise something bigger: that African women can dare greatly, no matter where they start from.
Are you not afraid as a woman considering rising insecurity across the continent?
Of course, there’s fear. But I have learned that fear can coexist with purpose. I take precautions, stay informed and rely on the strength of local communities. Every day on the road, I am reminded that most people are good and that’s what keeps me going.
What are you trying to achieve?
I am on a mission to break two historic records at once: the Guinness World Record for the longest solo motorcycle journey in Africa by a female, and the African People’s Record for the longest solo motorcycle journey across Africa by an African woman. But this isn’t just about numbers. This is about rewriting the narrative of what is possible for African women and for Africa as a whole. The current Guinness World Record stands at 30,000 km, but it’s not held by an African. I plan to change that by riding over 34,000 kilometers, covering more than 30 countries, and doing it solo with the same motorcycle, starting and ending in the same country. With African People’s Records, I’m also creating a platform to recognise extraordinary African achievements that global institutions often overlook. This is about visibility. It’s about representation. It’s about proving that we don’t need permission to be great, we just need purpose, and the courage to follow it. This record is not just mine. It belongs to every African girl who has ever been told her dreams are too big.
Is this not capital intensive? How are you getting funds?
Yes, it’s extremely capital intensive especially because of the way I travel. I don’t just pass through countries; I spend time in each one to truly understand the people, culture and stories. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, so I make the most of it. From the beginning, I have been funding this journey through a mix of resources. I have kept a full-time remote job while riding; working by midnight, travelling during the day and editing content in the evenings. It hasn’t been easy but has taught me discipline and endurance. Lately, content creation has started to contribute significantly and it has allowed me to slow down on my regular job which I barely do anymore. So it’s been a combination of hardwork, creativity and consistency.
What have been the challenges so far?
The biggest challenge by far has been visas. I still can’t understand why as an African travelling within Africa, I need to get a visa for almost every single country I enter. It’s exhausting and expensive. While West Africa was relatively easier thanks to ECOWAS, this next leg of my Guinness World Record journey; from South Africa to Kenya requires visas for all 12 countries I will be passing through. That alone is a logistical mountain. Then there’s the issue of border extortion and delays. Some borders, especially within West Africa, have been the most difficult. Crossing from East to West Africa was smoother, but once inside West Africa, everything changed with officials sometimes asking for bribes or finding excuses to stall you. Security is another constant concern. I always have to ask locals which roads are safest. It doesn’t matter how much I have planned before the journey, the real planning never stops. Every day on the road, I have to stay flexible and alert. But I thank God that despite the risks, I have remained safe.
Any exhilarating moments?
Yes. And for me, the most exhilarating moments have been the ones where I conquered something that felt impossible. Like the time a black mamba; one of the most dangerous snakes in the world charged at me and missed me by just three inches. My heart nearly stopped. Or the day I rode through the notorious roads of Guinea. Everyone had warned me that it was one of the toughest terrains in West Africa. It was broken and wild but somehow, I made it through without dropping my bike even once. That victory meant everything to me. There was the time I broke down in the middle of the bush, completely alone and just when I thought I was stranded, a Good Samaritan who happened to be a mechanic pulled up beside me. Moments like that remind me that I’m being carried by something bigger than myself. I have also had to stand my ground at borders where I was asked to pay for illegal charges and after causing quite the scene, I finally crossed, tired but triumphant.
And then there are the quiet moments. The feeling I get each time I enter a new country and I pause to marvel at how far I have come. Those are the moments that remind me: I’m not just riding, I’m rising. So yes, the challenges have been tough, but overcoming them? That’s where the real thrill lives.
Will you advise other ladies to follow your footsteps?
Absolutely. But not necessarily by getting on a motorcycle. My advice to other women is this: find your version of bold. For me, it was riding across Africa on two wheels. For someone else, it could be starting a business, moving to a new country, or standing up for a dream everyone else thinks is too big. What matters is choosing a path that challenges you, scares you a little, and frees you all at once. There’s something deeply powerful about doing something society didn’t expect from you — something that redefines who you are in your own eyes. I won’t pretend it’s easy. It takes courage, grit, and sometimes, doing it afraid. But it’s worth it. Every challenge you overcome becomes a story, a lesson, and a badge of honor.
So yes, I will always encourage women, especially African women to step out of the boxes they’ve been placed in. Because when we dare to take up space, to travel our own paths, we give permission for the next woman to rise even higher. The road is never just about the destination, it’s about who you become along the way.
What next after the current tour?
Next, I’ll be attempting to break two major records: the Guinness World Record for the longest solo motorcycle journey in Africa by a female, and the African People’s Record for the longest solo motorcycle journey across Africa by an African woman. This next tour from South Africa to Kenya will take me through 12 countries and over 11,000 kilometers, completing a single, continuous journey across the continent. But these records are only part of the vision. Alongside this ride, I’ll be launching African People’s Records, a new platform dedicated to celebrating outstanding African achievements that often go unrecognized by global institutions. It’s about reclaiming our narratives and honoring excellence on our own terms. I’m also launching a charity project for orphan girls, which will run side-by-side with my ride. As I move from country to country, I’ll be raising funds and awareness to train orphaned girls in practical, income-generating skills like tailoring, catering, and wig-making. The goal is to create sustainable opportunities and give them tools to thrive beyond charity. This next chapter is not just about setting records; it’s about making impact, shifting narratives and building legacy.
and then