I don't think that's really "ironic," and I don't just mean as a pedantic "what is the definition of irony" thing. The easiest way to see the problems with, say, airline travel is to travel by airlines. I don't know about "Africa" (and, what part of Africa -- last I heard, Africa is a pretty big place...), but in most places in the U.S., like it or not, you would very likely not be able to make a living without a personal vehicle.