Ride-hailing service InDrive has launched a bank transfer feature in Nigeria, allowing passengers to pay drivers directly without an integrated in-app payment system.
The feature, dubbed “Light Cashless,” enables drivers to display their preferred bank account details within the app, which passengers can copy and paste for payment.
With this rollout, InDrive becomes the first ride-hailing platform in Nigeria to adopt this approach, reinforcing bank transfers as a dominant payment method in the country’s transport sector. “There is no payment gateway integration,” an InDrive spokesperson clarified in a written statement. “It is only a copy-and-paste mechanism that allows drivers to have their preferred accounts on their profile.”
This development follows a recent PYMNTS study indicating that 41% of rideshare customers prefer bank transfers. While it may suggest a potential shift towards e-payment services in the ride-hailing space, InDrive maintains that its focus remains on enhancing real-time tracking and verification systems.
The company had previously expressed intentions to crack down on offline rides and tighten verification processes to improve passenger safety.
Despite its innovative approach, the new feature has drawn mixed reactions from drivers. Some argue that it primarily benefits InDrive while offering little advantage to them. “It is the same as a card trip. The feature only benefits InDrive,” said Jolaiya Moses, national treasurer of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria.
Another driver, also an AUATON executive, criticized the company’s lack of engagement with drivers. “The app (InDrive) does not make themselves available for most of our issues and concerns. They are practically invisible to us,” the driver said.
The rollout comes at a time when Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector is grappling with multiple challenges. Rising fuel and vehicle maintenance costs have led drivers to demand higher fares, while economic pressures have pushed passengers to seek cheaper alternatives.
Companies like Bolt, Uber, and InDrive are caught in a delicate balancing act, managing driver dissatisfaction while trying to prevent customer churn.
Tensions between drivers and ride-hailing companies have escalated in recent weeks. AUATON members have clashed with platforms like Bolt, Uber, and InDrive over high commission fees and promotional discounts that reduce drivers’ earnings. On Monday, drivers threatened protests against Bolt after the company introduced a 50% price slash last Friday in an attempt to boost demand.
