By Abigail Mbah
Global mobility platform inDrive has introduced tricycle ride-hailing, popularly known as Keke, in Nigeria, expanding its transport options with a more affordable alternative for short-distance journeys.
The new service allows passengers and tricycle operators to negotiate fares directly, extending inDrive’s fair-price model beyond car rides. It targets trips of approximately six to seven kilometres, catering to everyday journeys to markets, schools, workplaces and other destinations within local communities.
Tricycles remain an important part of Nigeria’s urban and neighbourhood transport systems, offering a practical alternative to cars for short trips. The new service is designed to build on their existing popularity while operating within applicable regulations restricting their use on major roads and highways.
Timothy Oladimeji, Country Manager of inDrive Nigeria, said the introduction of Keke rides reflects the company’s commitment to making transportation more accessible while creating additional economic opportunities for drivers.
“The future of mobility is not simply about moving faster; it is about enabling broader economic participation,” he said.
“By making mobility more accessible while creating opportunities for drivers, we are contributing to a transportation system that works for more people. By introducing this service within the applicable regulations, inDrive is creating another way for passengers to move around their communities without having to spend beyond their means.”
For passengers, the service offers another option for completing short journeys at negotiated fares, potentially helping them manage transportation costs amid pressure on household budgets.
For tricycle operators, joining the platform provides an additional channel for securing paid trips and connecting with passengers through an app-based service, with the visibility and safety features associated with digital ride-hailing.
The launch reflects inDrive’s strategy of adapting its services to local transportation needs by incorporating a mode of mobility already widely used across Nigerian communities.
As the country’s ride-hailing market evolves, the addition of tricycles broadens the range of transport options available on the platform, particularly for passengers seeking affordable ways to navigate short distances.
By bringing Keke services into its digital mobility offering, inDrive is seeking to connect existing informal transport networks with app-based ride-hailing while creating new earning opportunities for operators.