Ride-hailing platform inDrive invested N1bn in driver welfare in Nigeria last year as it seeks to strengthen its position in the country’s increasingly competitive mobility market.

The company’s Country Representative, Oladimeji Timothy, said the investment covered healthcare, school fees for drivers’ children, vacations, fuel vouchers, health checks and seasonal gifts during Ramadan and Christmas, according to The PUNCH.

“Last year, we invested 1 billion naira in driver welfare, including health care, school fees for drivers’ children, vacation for drivers, fuel vouchers, health checks, seasonal gifts during Ramadan and Christmas, and so on,” Timothy said.

“We will continue investing in driver welfare to ensure the engine that keeps the business going is well cared for.”

The disclosure comes as competition in Nigeria’s ride-hailing market enters a new phase following Uber’s exit after 12 years of operations. Uber stopped offering rides in Nigeria on September 2, leaving other platforms to compete for drivers and passengers amid rising operating costs.

Timothy said inDrive’s drive to expand its market share was supported by investments aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of local transportation needs.

“The market share capture conversation is not new to us. It has always been the result of our investment in a market we deeply understand,” he said.

“Our understanding of the terrain, like that of other emerging markets, has positioned us to rewrite how ride-hailing works. Affordable, accessible and safe rides are at the core of our strategy.”

The company currently operates in seven Nigerian cities and plans to expand its presence by introducing more services on its platform.

Timothy said inDrive had recently launched a tricycle module as part of efforts to offer more affordable transport options tailored to the needs of different cities.

“We have learned more about the market from a local angle and understand clearly what the different cities need. In view of this, we will be launching more modules; the most recent is the tricycle module,” he stated.

Safety is also a key part of the company’s expansion strategy. Timothy said inDrive was strengthening driver verification and trip tracking, while working with local security agencies to improve safety.

He added that the company operates a local incident-management hub to respond to and address safety-related issues.

“Safety is a key tenet for ride-hailing. It is not an afterthought,” he declared.