inDrive has broadened its service offerings throughout Zimbabwe, now operating its ride-hailing services in four key cities: Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, and Mutare. Additionally, the company has introduced a new courier service in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, enhancing convenience for its customers. This new courier offering allows both individuals and businesses to dispatch packages with ease and efficiency. Meanwhile, inDrive’s intercity service continues to link cities, providing passengers with greater flexibility and convenience for their travel plans.
Kudzai Jeke, the Country Representative for inDrive in Zimbabwe, shared his enthusiasm about the company’s expansion within the country. He highlighted that inDrive’s presence in these major cities marks a significant step towards delivering equitable and accessible transportation solutions to the people of Zimbabwe.
Jeke further emphasized;
The introduction of our courier services, along with our ongoing intercity and ride-hailing operations, demonstrates our dedication to meeting the local demands and overcoming challenges. It’s about empowering the community and businesses with enhanced convenience and fostering opportunities for growth.
The ride-hailing sector in Zimbabwe is on a trajectory for growth, with projections indicating a revenue of $5.36 million in 2024 and an impressive annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 73.43%, culminating in a market volume of $84.09 million by 2029. Additionally, the user base is expected to swell to 2.80 million by 2029, with user penetration rates anticipated to rise from 13.7% in 2024 to 14.9% by 2029. This growth is forecasted despite the economic hurdles faced by the country.
inDrive has adapted to these challenges by implementing a unique “name your price” model within its app, allowing users to negotiate fares directly. This approach not only fosters fairness in pricing but also ensures the delivery of quality services.
Since its entry into the Zimbabwean market in March 2023, starting with Harare, inDrive has rapidly expanded. By September 2024, it launched its services in Bulawayo, incorporating safety measures such as passenger ratings, travel address alerts, a Safety Center, an emergency SOS button, and a “Share the Ride Route” feature to enhance user security.
In January 2024, inDrive announced its intention to roll out financial services products, including small loans for drivers, in its operational markets. This initiative aims to secure long-term financial stability for its expanding driver community. Competing with other ride-hailing giants like Bolt and Uber, inDrive continues to carve its niche in Zimbabwe. Notably, in January 2024, Bolt made its foray into the Zimbabwean market, offering an incentive by waiving driver commissions for an initial six months.
