Global mobility and delivery platform inDrive has recorded a significant surge in its presence in Nigeria, with app installations rising by 96 per cent as the company strengthens its position in the country’s increasingly competitive ride-hailing market.
The growth has reportedly pushed inDrive to the number-one position among ride-hailing applications in Nigeria by installs, according to independent third-party data from Sensor Tower.
The latest performance comes as Nigerian consumers continue to look for transportation options that offer affordability, flexibility and greater control over the cost and nature of their journeys.
inDrive said the increase in its user base reflects growing demand for alternative mobility solutions, particularly in a market where transportation costs remain a major consideration for commuters.
The company currently operates in seven Nigerian cities — Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Ibadan, Owerri and Enugu — providing ride-hailing and other mobility services to passengers across the country.
The latest expansion in its user base also comes against the backdrop of recent changes in Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry, including the exit of a competing platform, which has left consumers exploring alternative services.
Unlike conventional ride-hailing platforms that typically rely on algorithms to determine fares, inDrive operates a “fair choice” model under which passengers and drivers can agree directly on the price of a trip.
Under the system, passengers can propose a fare while drivers have the option of accepting, declining or negotiating the offer. The company says the approach is designed to give both parties greater control over the transaction.
inDrive said its relatively low service fees also form part of its proposition to users, while the direct negotiation model allows drivers and passengers to settle on a fare they consider acceptable.
The platform has also expanded beyond its traditional ride-hailing business in an effort to serve a broader range of transportation and delivery needs.
Its services in Nigeria include Economy, Courier, Comfort, One Click and TukTuk. The company also operates a Delivery service aimed at businesses and merchants that require the transportation of packages and goods.
According to the company, the broader service portfolio is part of its strategy to develop an integrated mobility and delivery ecosystem rather than remain solely focused on passenger transportation.
Commenting on the growth, inDrive Nigeria Country Manager, Timothy Oladimeji, said the company’s performance demonstrated the relevance of its business model to the Nigerian market.
“The growth we have recorded reflects the strength of our model and our deep understanding of the Nigerian market,” Oladimeji said.
He added: “While the market continues to evolve, our focus remains on giving passengers greater choice, flexibility and access to affordable, reliable mobility, while creating flexible earning opportunities for drivers.”
Oladimeji said the company was also looking beyond conventional ride-hailing as it seeks to deepen its presence in Nigeria’s wider mobility sector.
He said inDrive was working to build a broader mobility and delivery ecosystem capable of serving passengers, drivers and businesses, with its Delivery service providing an avenue for the company to expand further into the business-to-business market.
The development comes as competition within Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector continues to evolve, with operators seeking to attract passengers and drivers through pricing, convenience, service availability and flexible earning opportunities.
For inDrive, the company’s direct-fare model remains a central part of its strategy. By allowing drivers and passengers to negotiate prices rather than having an algorithm automatically determine the final fare, the platform says it gives users greater control over the cost of individual trips.
With its growing presence across major Nigerian cities and its expansion into courier and business delivery services, inDrive is positioning itself to compete not only for a larger share of the country’s ride-hailing market but also for a broader role in Nigeria’s rapidly developing mobility and logistics ecosystem.