Read 3 minutes

Nairobi-based Chixz Auto Garage and Services is trying to change the automotive industry in Africa by offering a safe and inclusive space for women to work as mechanics, and receive quality car care.

Many women report feeling unsafe and sometimes mistreated when visiting certain auto shops.

“We needed a garage where lady mechanics can work in a safe and comfortable space, a place where a lady client can come, sit, and wait for their vehicle to be fixed without discomfort,” Magdalene Ann, the Marketing and Visibility Officer, explained.

Magdalene says the garage encounters numerous challenges, including building trust in a male-dominated field.

She says attracting customers also poses challenges, as overcoming gender biases in the automotive industry requires persistence.

However, as clients experienced the quality of service, they grew to appreciate the expertise of the women who work there.

“From the moment I stepped into Chixz Auto Garage, I could tell this was a different kind of workshop,” said Apollo Mwangi. “The environment is safe, well-organized, and welcoming. Their team is highly skilled and professional,” he added.

Mwangi said it was inspiring to see women excelling in the field, handling diagnostics and servicing with confidence and expertise.

“The service was not just great but truly impressive,” he says.

Magdalene notes that even some male mechanics are beginning to acknowledge the skills of female mechanics and are open to working with them.

“It’s a process, but we are hopeful that, eventually, we will break the stereotype that there is ‘men’s work’ and ‘women’s work.'”

The garage launched a training program in 2024 to promote gender inclusivity in the automotive sector, and equip young women with the skills to thrive in the industry.

“We started this program after realizing there was a need in the community to give skills to women so they can empower themselves and earn a living for their families,” explains Magdalene. “We recruit girls from nearby slum areas, working with community leaders and our in-house social worker to identify them. Before training, they undergo counseling and life skills programs.”

The training includes a three-month coursework phase followed by a three-month attachment. Kenya’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority certifies participants upon completion.

Chixz Auto Garage hired many of the graduates. Others found jobs elsewhere.

Beyond equipping women with technical skills, Chixz Auto Garage aims to challenge societal norms.

“We want to change the mindset of young boys and girls—to show them that anyone can venture into any career and excel if they love what they do,” Magdalene adds.

Chixz Auto Garage aims to establish more branches across different counties to create greater opportunities for women in the industry.

CGTN Africa editor Regina Mulea contributed to this report.