Dissertation (MA Development Studies)The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda” as a new paradigm for livelihood diversification. Specifically, the study aimed to get a better understanding on the socio-economic contributions and constraints of motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda” in rural areas and their implications on livelihood diversification at the household level. The study was conducted in Dodoma Region, Tanzania, whereby Chamwino District with the predominantly agro-pastoral communities’ operating motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda” as a new socio-economic venture was taken. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design. Purposive and random sampling techniques were employed to select the representative sample. Data collection methods comprised of surveys (for motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda” operators’) and key informants’ interviews (for village and ward executive officers, Community development officer, traffic police officers and motorcycle taxi passengers). A total of 69 motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda” operators’ were directly administered with questionnaires. In addition, nineteen key informants’ interviews were conducted. The data were analysed using SPSS 20 version and MS-Excel computer software to summarize the facts. Descriptive statistics were used in describing the contributions and constraints of motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda” as a new paradigm for livelihood diversification. The study findings have shown that motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda” in rural areas has a tremendous contribution on livelihood diversification, especially on reduction of income poverty. This is due to the fact that motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda” has been found to act as a job opportunity for many agro-pastoral communities’ youth who previously were jobless due to drought as a result of climate variability and a source of income earning to meet social needs especially family daily basic needs. Furthermore, the motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda” influences other commercial activities to take place within the study area such as motorcycle garage and mechanics, motorcycle spare parts sales, and small petrol sales point. However, the motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda” are facing challenges ranging from road accidents, police harassment, lack of funds for purchasing spare parts and diseases commonly pneumonia due to lack of protective gears, limited skills and knowledge on road safety rules. Therefore, this calls policy decision-makers to boost literacy on skills and knowledge of road safety rules and traffic regulations on driving and business license through various seminars and trainings to the motorcycle taxi “Boda Boda” operators’. While interventions may be multi-sectored, the role of government is stressed to enhance livelihood diversification among agro-pastoral communities in this dissertation.