By Adedapo Adesanya
Ride-hailing service, inDrive, has rapidly expanded its services to 17 Nigerian cities in less than 12 months.
In a statement seen by Business Post on Monday, inDrive now operates in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Benin City, Nnewi, Aba, Onitsha, Jos, Enugu, Warri, Abeokuta, Akure, Owerri, Calabar, Ado Ekiti, and Uyo.
Across other Sub-Saharan African markets, the company expanded to Maseru in Lesotho, and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.
In addition to these cities, the platform is also operational in several African countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana, and Namibia.
Compared to Uber and Bolt, inDrive ensures that drivers retain a significant portion of their earnings as fees are based on a negotiation between them and their customers.
Africa faces numerous challenges, particularly in providing ample employment opportunities. inDrive’s venture into the continent represents a strategic move to address these issues, offering drivers not just a platform to earn but also the necessary tools and support to prosper.
The company noted that the expansion is a key part of inDrive’s strategic plan to establish a strong and equitable presence in new markets. A distinctive feature of this strategy allows drivers to benefit significantly: they pay zero commissions for an extended period to allow enough time to build a community of customers.
“This policy ensures that a greater portion of earnings goes directly to the drivers, showcasing inDrive’s dedication to fostering a balanced and fair marketplace,” the statement noted.
Speaking on this, Mr Ilia Anisimov the Regional Business Development Specialist (Expansion)at inDrive said, “Our launch strategy is meticulously crafted to guarantee fair treatment for both drivers and passengers. We are committed to creating a win-win scenario, ensuring passengers have access to affordable rides while drivers receive their rightful share of the income.”
inDrive’s expansion is done in stages, which it said is aimed at establishing a just and sustainable ecosystem for all stakeholders. The first stage encompasses extensive market research, conducted by inDrive’s team of specialists, to ensure that our entry into each new market is well-informed and tailored to local needs.
Following this, the focus shifts to building a robust user community. The final stage is monetization, which involves charging a modest commission of no more than 10 per cent on drivers’ earnings, starting only six months post-launch in each city.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Modupe Gbadeyanka