inDrive invests N1bn to boost Nigerian drivers’ welfare

Ride-hailing platform inDrive invested N1bn in driver welfare in Nigeria last year, as the company steps up efforts to strengthen its position in the country’s increasingly competitive mobility market.

The company’s country representative, Oladimeji Timothy, said the investment covered healthcare, school fees for drivers’ children, vacations, fuel vouchers, health checks and seasonal gifts during Ramadan and Christmas.

“Last year, we invested 1 billion naira in driver welfare, including health care, school fees for drivers’ children, vacation for drivers, fuel vouchers, health checks, seasonal gifts during Ramadan and Christmas, and so on,” Timothy told The PUNCH.

“We will continue investing in driver welfare to ensure the engine that keeps the business going is well cared for.”

The disclosure comes as competition in Nigeria’s ride-hailing market enters a new phase following Uber’s exit from the country after 12 years of operations. Uber stopped offering rides in Nigeria on September 2, leaving other platforms competing for drivers and passengers in a market facing higher operating expenses.

Timothy revealed that inDrive’s push for market share was driven by its investment in understanding local transportation needs.

“The market share capture conversation is not new to us. It has always been the result of our investment in a market we deeply understand,” he said.

“Our understanding of the terrain, like that of other emerging markets, has positioned us to rewrite how ride-hailing works. Affordable, accessible and safe rides are at the core of our strategy.”

The company operates in seven Nigerian cities and said it plans to deepen its presence by expanding the services available on its platform.

Timothy noted that inDrive had recently launched a tricycle module as it sought to provide more affordable transportation options suited to different cities.

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“We have learned more about the market from a local angle and understand clearly what the different cities need. In view of this, we will be launching more modules; the most recent is the tricycle module,” he stated.

Safety is also a major focus of the company’s expansion strategy. Timothy said inDrive was strengthening driver verification, trip tracking, and collaboration with local security agencies while operating a local incident-management hub to handle safety-related issues.

“Safety is a key tenet for ride-hailing. It is not an afterthought,” he declared.

He added that the company planned to hold an annual safety summit aimed at addressing knowledge gaps, alongside other initiatives designed to improve passenger and driver safety.

The company has also introduced its Comfort mode, which Timothy said formed part of its broader effort to improve service quality.

The renewed focus on drivers comes as ride-hailing operators contend with rising fuel, vehicle maintenance and other operating costs, putting pressure on driver earnings and the economics of platform-based transport.

inDrive has sought to differentiate its service through a fare-negotiation model that allows passengers and drivers to agree on prices, while the company has also promoted its approach to driver autonomy.

Timothy said the company would continue investing in drivers, expanding its services and forming partnerships as it seeks to increase its presence in Nigeria.

“We have been increasing our market share, and we will continue to do so,” he added.