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Rihanna’s Foundation Partnered with Ofo, Giving 100 Girls Bicycles in Malawi
Published: October 10, 2026
Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation partnered with Beijing‑based bike‑sharing firm Ofo in 2017 to launch the 1 KM Action program, delivering 100 bicycles to scholarship‑receiving girls in Malawi. The five‑year partnership will continue to provide scholarships and transport support, aiming to raise secondary‑school attendance among those girls.
In 2017, Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation teamed with Beijing‑based bike‑sharing giant Ofo to launch the 1 KM Action program, handing 100 bicycles to scholarship‑receiving girls in Malawi.
The initiative tackles two long‑standing hurdles to secondary education for Malawian girls: the cost of secondary schooling and the daily commute, which can span several kilometres and expose students to safety risks.
Rihanna told Teen Vogue that the collaboration would allow girls to reach school more quickly and safely, reducing the time spent walking and the risk of accidents.
Teachers and students in Lilongwe reported enthusiasm upon the bikes’ arrival, noting that the rides could shorten their journey by up to 15 minutes each way.
Ofo will continue to supply bicycles while the Foundation’s Global Scholarship Program funds tuition for up to 200 girls over the next five years, with the goal of boosting attendance rates to 90%.