ZayRide is recognized as the first e-hailing taxi company in Ethiopia, and it was launched in July 2016. ZayRide plans to launch 200 vehicles into the Liberian market in collaboration with Hak Technologies, a Liberian-based web solutions firm. They will also launch their own mobile point of sales product – ArifPay, and expand to the Ethiopian cities of Gondar, Hawassa and Mekelle.
The expansion from Ethiopia is at a time where market authorities are announcing plans to privatize state-owned enterprises in the country. Ethiopia is a landlocked nation that operates a centralized economic model. Private sectors are restricted to operate a limited line of activities. Even giant e-hailing companies like Uber and Bolt are yet to fully tap into the Ethiopian transport industry.
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ZayRide was also the first to introduce ride booking via mobile app in the Ethiopian transport industry. It was founded by Habtamu Tadesse after facing frustrations of booking a taxi on demand and having to always negotiate prices with drivers. Today, ZayRide does not only offer ride-hailing but also does deliveries and on-demand ambulance service.
This is the first time an indigenous e-hailing service is scaling beyond Ethiopia. The move into Liberia is in a bid to enter into markets where other ride giants like Uber are yet to launch. The partnership with Hak Technologies will also help them expand to more African countries. They plan to establish operations in Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya and Hargeisa city in Somaliland.