With the growth of technology, a lot of solutions have are springing up, enabling people to solve just about any problem from the comfort of their homes.
Among these is e-hailing service, which has become a big deal in Nigeria, allowing people order cab services online. The service has witnessed significant growth in Nigeria, and is becoming a threat to the traditional yellow cabs we used to know.
In recent years, we’ve seen a number of platforms spring up, including foreign and local companies. Most popular of them all is ride-sharing giant, Uber, which has become like a buzzword for on-demand service, and Estonian ride-hailing app, Taxify.
They’ve both dominated the space so much that, it’ll shock you to know that there are tons of Nigerian e-hailing apps competing for a portion in the vast taxi market, some of which you probably haven’t heard of, while some others exited almost immediately after launch.
Here’s a list of Nigerian-owned e-hailing platforms:
Jekalo
Jekalo is Nigeria’s first ride-sharing platform. It was launched in May 2015 by Bolarinwa Motoni. Jekalo’s service is available only in Lagos.
On the platforms, users search for available rides, i.e, car owners going their route, connect with riders and book.
Oga Taxi
Take away Uber and Taxify, Oga Taxi would be dominating the Nigerian ehailing market. Launched in 2016, the Oga Taxi’s service currently runs in Lagos and Abuja.
The service is similar to that of Jekalo. One thing that stands it out from other platforms is its “call to book” option for individuals without internet access.
GoMyWay
Launched in June 2015, the platform is funded by some heavyweights in the Nigerian tech ecosystem, including Konga CEO, Sim Shagaya, Co-creation Hub, and and Bill Paladino (Ex-amazon and Naspers executive).
Like other ride-sharing platforms, GoMyWay connects passengers with car owners going along the same route.
Afro
Afro has also been in the ehailing market for a while now. It was lanched in October 2015, and is much like the likes of Uber and other taxi apps in many ways, allowing passengers able to request rides from verified drivers through their smartphones.
The platform however, differentiates itself by enabling users bid for their fare, choosing how much they want to pay for the trip. The Afro platform allows both private (unbranded) vehicles and the yellow cab to chauffeur riders.
SmartCabs
Launched in Lagos in February 2017 by Jubril Arogundade, the Smart Cab app allows users to order cab services online and track their requests.
To deal with competition, SmartCabs promises to offer free WiFi on board and driver/passenger liability insurance. It also offers a uni-level marketing programmer where riders earn 2% residual income on every other rider they refer.
The service is currently operative in Lagos, Benin, Port-Harcourt, Abuja and Ibadan.
Holy Cab
Launched on October 1st 2016. Holy Cab offers just about the same service.
Unlike other e-hailing apps, HolyCab claims that it not only deposits money to partners every week, but also deposits money to bank accounts of riders and drivers every week. This, it terms earn share.
Ridebliss
According to data on crunchbase, the platform has been existing since 2013. But on the website, there’s an indication that it’s still in Beta stage.
Founded by Chuks Ndubueze, users can search for rides and book for rides, as offered on similar platforms.
MyCabman
MyCabman offers its services to Abuja residents, with a skeletal presence in Enugu and Calabar where it is only available to students.
Its offering is not so different from what’s being offered by its competitors. MyCabman is available for Android and iOS.
Red Cab
Red Cab started operations in May 2009, providing branded vehicles (red cabs) to commuters through phone call booking.
In October, 2015 they launched their mobile app. Like others, they enable users order cab services, and provide free wifi for passengers to enjoy while on their trip.
Ryno
The Ryno app also connects people to looking for a ride with car owners who have free seat to spare.
Available on Google Play, the Ryno team claim that the app has an inbuilt security alarm and it allows payment cards of all types.
PamDrive
PamDrive has same model as Uber. Founded on May 1, 2016, they provide a 24-hour taxi booking service in three (3) different categories (Comfort, Premium & Executive) within and around the city of Port Harcourt. They also offer city-to-city transport and logistics booking services.
Pair
Pair is a subscription based ride-sharing service. The service is built specifically for people to enjoy the comfort of a private car on their way to and from work. Pair currently offers its service only in Lagos.
5 Comments
I bet you didn’t know about JETRIDE. A new hailing app that was developed last year in September. They charge the rider’s the cheapest fare, and does not charge riders for canceling. Surge is never part of their services as they believe prices should not be hiked when the need for transportation service arise. The drivers are not left out as JETRIDE takes only a flat rate of N50 naira as commission from drivers after every trip. Which means if they make 3000 naira on a trip using the JETRIDE Passenger app, he pays just N50 naira to JETRIDE and goes home with 2950. Isn’t that awesome.
PROTAXI
There has been an e hailing app that was developed in June 2016. This is the PROTAXI passenger’s app.
Its is the cheapest and most comfortable taxi app to use when moving around Lagos.
Drivers are not left out. There is the drivers app as well.
off-course there is no surge. Meaning we don’t exploit our riders on days when there is an excessive demand for taxi services.
When next you need to move around Lagos, think PROTAXI
how do I join
I use RideOn, best service delivery and UX/UI i must say covering most parts of the the south Eastern region
i’m using TRIPP.
i dont know about you guys but it is a cheaper alternative to uber and taxify. it is CHEAP QUALITY.
i think the writer of this blog should do a reaserch on TRIPP.NG.