MOBILITY and urban services platform inDrive has initiated a groundbreaking shift in the African ride-hailing sector, rapidly expanding its services across 20 cities within less than a year, all without charging any commission fees to its drivers.
The company’s successful presence spans various Nigerian cities, including Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Benin City, Nnewi, Aba, Onitsha, Jos, Enugu, Warri, Abeokuta, Akure, Owerri, Calabar, Ado Ekiti, and Uyo, alongside Maseru in Lesotho and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. Additionally, inDrive operates in various African countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana, and Namibia. What sets inDrive apart is its commitment to fairness and empowerment in the transportation sector, ensuring that drivers retain a significant share of their earnings, reflecting the company’s dedication to uplifting both drivers and passengers.
This expansion forms a pivotal part of inDrive’s strategic plan to establish a robust and equitable presence in new markets. A key feature of this approach offers drivers a unique advantage: they incur zero commissions for an extended period, allowing time to build a customer base. This policy ensures that a larger portion of earnings directly benefits the drivers, emphasizing inDrive’s commitment to creating a balanced and fair marketplace.
Ilia Anisimov, the Regional Business Development Specialist (Expansion) at inDrive, emphasised the company’s commitment to ensuring fairness for both drivers and passengers. ‘Our launch strategy is designed to ensure a win-win scenario, offering affordable rides to passengers while drivers receive their fair share of income.’
The expansion unfolds through meticulous and active stages aimed at establishing a just and sustainable ecosystem for all stakeholders. It involves comprehensive market research by inDrive’s team of specialists to ensure informed and tailored entry into each new market, followed by building a robust user community. The final stage introduces monetization, involving a modest commission of no more than 10 percent on drivers’ earnings, beginning six months post-launch in each city.
Africa confronts significant challenges in providing adequate employment opportunities. inDrive’s foray into the continent represents a strategic effort to address these issues, not just offering a platform for drivers to earn but also the necessary tools and support for their prosperity.
With its innovative approach and unwavering dedication to fairness, inDrive is poised to revolutionise the transportation landscape in Africa. The company aims to empower drivers, satisfy passengers, and play a significant role in the dynamic gig economy tapestry.