Frustrated by the steep commissions charged by leading ride-hailing platforms, a collective of Nigerian drivers has introduced SimpliRide, a local app designed to rival established services such as Uber, Bolt, LagRide, and InDrive. In contrast to these competitors, SimpliRide utilizes a subscription model, imposing a flat daily fee of ₦500 (around $0.33) on drivers. This fee is considerably lower than the commission-based deductions that can accumulate to ₦15,000 ($10.03) each month.
Available on the Google Play Store, SimpliRide features separate applications for drivers and riders. The driver app has gained early traction, achieving 500 downloads and receiving positive feedback, while the rider app has seen a more modest uptake with 100 downloads. Although the rider app has not been officially launched, users can still sign up.
This initiative reflects a history of driver-led efforts to create alternative platforms, such as MyKab in 2020, which eventually evolved into the government-supported LagRide. Drivers have expressed years of dissatisfaction due to escalating operating costs, rising fuel prices, and a perceived lack of responsiveness from established companies. They argue that the monthly roundtable discussions organized by Uber, Bolt, and InDrive fail to adequately address their daily challenges, leading to frequent strikes and rider dissatisfaction. Many drivers believe that a locally developed app will be better suited to meet their specific needs.
The App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has reportedly endorsed SimpliRide, although the union has denied any direct involvement in its creation. “The union is not behind SimpliRide,” stated Jolaiya Moses, National Treasurer of AUATON. “However, we endorse the app because it does not operate on a commission-based structure.”
Moses further elaborated, “Drivers will not be unjustly blocked from the platform. The union will also participate in the review process to ensure fairness. We aim to implement welfare programs such as health insurance, life insurance, car loans based on performance, and car repair loans based on performance.”
Despite this endorsement, skepticism exists within the industry. Ibrahim Ayoade, General Secretary of AUATON, raised concerns about the feasibility of drivers developing and managing an app, citing the technical and financial complexities involved. “I am perplexed by the idea of drivers creating an app. This is a recurring issue, and the question remains: can drivers develop an app, and if so, in what capacity? According to our constitution and laws, AUATON is a regulatory body, not a competitor,” Ayoade commented.
He added, “As a veteran in this ecosystem, I can attest that this approach won’t work. The individuals involved are top leadership members of AUATON, which is why we didn’t support this unconstitutional movement within the union. We’ve tried to educate them, but their selfish interests have led them to disregard our concerns.”
Despite claims of independence, background checks from B2BHint—a company verification tool—indicate that SimpliRide was established only eight months ago. Additionally, discussions on rideshare.chat, an online community for drivers, suggest a close relationship between SimpliRide and AUATON, with reports indicating that AUATON holds a 40% ownership stake in the app. The success of SimpliRide will hinge on its ability to attract a substantial user base while navigating the operational and regulatory challenges inherent in the ride-hailing industry.
