SimpliRide has come to answer ride-hailing drivers' questions with zero commission, and subscription-based model. The ride-hailing app is now fully operational in Nigeria, with focuses on Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt as the primary market for inception, and plans for expansion to other states within the country.
The app is developed by a Nigerian driver to be a driver-centric alternative to existing platforms like Uber and Bolt. Now available on Google Play store with separate apps for both drivers and riders.
The app allows drivers pay a daily subscription fee of ₦1,500 after a 30-day free trial, with no commission on rides. In other words, drivers can retain 100% of their earnings without paying any commission. This is a better option for drivers who remit commissions as high as 25% to 30% to other ride-hailing apps.
The app also offers drivers benefits like health, life and trip insurance, performance-based car loans and hire purchase/rental car options, micro-pension and mortgage savings plans, joint decision-making on trip prices, freedom to reject rides and unlimited destination settings, and fair treatment, safety prioritization, including rider profiling and KYC, and 24-hour help support.
These benefits aim to bridge the gap between the gig economy and formal employment, offering protections typically absent in ride-hailing.
The inception of SimpliRide comes amid concurrent situation happening among ride-hailing drivers in Nigeria. Drivers are voicing stronger dissatisfaction with the hefty fees imposed on them and the strenuous working conditions.
These drivers are saying non-stop rising fuel prices, consistent vehicle maintenance costs, and a lack of support from existing platforms remain major challenges using existing platforms.
These concurrent issues have led to planned strikes and protests from the drivers, highlighting the need for alternative solutions within the industry. In response to all these drivers' complaints, a driver stood up to emerge SimpliRide to put an end to their long-standing grievances.
SimpliRide is fully licensed in Nigeria, with endorsement from App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), citing departure from commission-based structures. Meanwhile, there is some controversy around SimpliRide partnership with AUATON. Some people are saying AUATON is claiming a 40% ownership stake in the company, though AUATON denies direct involvement.
The company's registration name with reg.code are "B2BHint - SIMPLIRIDE LTD - RC-7599569 - Nigeria". These show SimpliRide was incorporated on June 20, 2024, in Lagos, with majority ownership stake by Adeyemi Stella (97.5%).
SimpliRide App is available on the Google Play Store, with separate apps for drivers and riders. Over 500+ downloads for the driver app and 1K+ for the rider app have been recorded.
The following table summarizes key differences between SimpliRide and popular competitors in Nigeria:
| Aspect | SimpliRide | Uber/Bolt |
|---|---|---|
| Commission Model | Offers zero (₦0) commission, and ₦1,500 daily subscription. | Offers as high as 25% to 30% commission on earnings. |
| Driver Benefits | Insurance such as health, life, car, loans, pension, fair treatment, and mortgage are offered. | Limited, and varies by market shares. |
| Pricing Flexibility | Riders can negotiate fares on a joint-negotiation model. | Fixed fares by company, and surge pricing. |
| Ownership | Developed by another Nigerian driver (Local development). | Global, corporate-owned mostly dominated by foreign investors. |
| Union Involvement | Endorsed by AUATON, controversial stake. | No significant union partnership, but has licenses from government agencies. |
In conclusion, SimpliRide's launch in Nigeria is a pivotal moment for the ride-hailing industry, offering a driver-centric alternative to global platforms like Uber and Bolt--the market's dominant. The ride-hailing app offers a subscription-based model, extensive driver benefits, and has received endorsement from AUATON, to address critical pain points.
However, challenges like rider awareness and competition require sustained effort. Its success will depend on its ability to attract both drivers and riders while navigating operational and regulatory challenges. Although, early feedback from drivers is positive, but riders awareness remains a challenge. It's also worth noting that there are ongoing marketing efforts to attract more riders.
