About 2 years after making its first entry into Nigeria (Lagos), Taxify has expanded its services to 2 other states, Ibadan and Owerri, simultaneously. Thus, becoming the 3rd and 4th cities in Nigeria that Taxify operates in, in addition to Lagos and Abuja.
With our Owerri & Ibadan launch hours away, we can’t wait to start moving you to the places you have to be.
We’re adding hundreds of drivers across both cities to make movement even better. So download the app and start enjoying Taxify's services #TaxifyInIbadan #TaxifyInOwerri pic.twitter.com/ZnUDc5UgkS
— Bolt Nigeria (@Boltapp_ng) October 5, 2018
The app-based platform allows passengers to easily request for a driver to pick them up also almost instantly and take them wherever they want to go.
Why the Expansion?
After successful stints in Nigeria’s main centres, Lagos and Abuja, alongside requests from passengers and drivers in those cities, it only felt natural for Taxify to expand its network into other major areas in the country.
IBADAN, Kinni so? @Taxify_ng is now in your city!
From Challenge to Oluyole to Dugbe to Mokola, Bodija, Eleyele, Sango, Apete, Apata, Ojoo, Alaakia, Everywhere…….TAXIFY got you covered 😁.
Download your App now and ride in comfort around town 🚖🚘#TaxifyInIbadan pic.twitter.com/RmrUByyiQD
— Olufemi Penzaar Oguntamu (@UpAndDownFellow) October 5, 2018
Speaking on the expansion, Country manager for Taxify, Uche Okafor, said,
“Our vision for the Nigerian market has always been to build the best way to move within all bigger cities and the exciting thing about this vision is that it bears fruits that manifest on socioeconomic levels… We’re looking forward to introducing these cities to safe, reliable and affordable ride-hailing services on demand, and introducing flexible employment opportunities to thousands of drivers and vehicle owners in both cities.”
DIKE Osinachi(@apamanolly) is the first person to take the @Taxify_ng #Taxify Ride in Owerri.
Now you can download the app and start enjoying 20% of your rides and a free ride when you use the code 'HIOWERRI'Lets get Taxified. #TaxifyInOwerri pic.twitter.com/jJLs5wuw3v
— Nwoke Adịghị Njọ (@Obama_naija) October 5, 2018
In launching in these cities, Taxify would not only provides a seamless, cheap and safe ride-hailing service for its residents but also employment opportunities for the general populace – as anyone with a valid driver’s license and verified documentation can sign up to drive and start to earn a living.
Would Taxify Find it Easy?
My first @Taxify_ng request in Ibadan is looking sweet. My driver called immediately. #TaxifyInIbadan #MoveDifferent pic.twitter.com/Jlvv4v9SdM
— Taiwo (@OgaBoxx) October 5, 2018
When it first launched in Nigeria (Lagos) in November 2016, it didn’t take long before it was widely accepted amongst citizens, and soon in the same period the following year, 2017, it launched in Abuja. Reasons being the prior presence of e-hailing service, Uber, in these cities which had shown residents how an e-hailing service works.
Now, moving to Ibadan and Owerri with about 3 million and 1.5 million residents respectively, Taxify would be taking on new challenges which include showing the residents that moving from place to place hassle-free, safe and cost friendly within their city is very much possible, other than the regular cabs and buses. This may not be totally impossible considering that these cities both have a fair amount of students and young professionals.
Aside from this, the only other challenge would be competition from pre-existing ridesharing platforms, such as Uru in Owerri and Alakowe Taxi in Ibadan.
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