Imelda Ambondo
Yango Group says it expects full compliance from its drivers and partners following a government directive giving e-hailing operators 56 days to meet Namibia’s road transport regulations.
The company’s head of policy for Africa, Zanyiwe Asare, said all drivers must adhere to the requirements, which include vehicle roadworthiness tests and obtaining a valid public driving permit (PDP), along with mandatory medical checks.
Speaking at the press conference last week, Asare last said Yango works with 25 local SMEs that manage their own fleets and noted that the number of drivers changes regularly under the gig economy model.
“The safest thing for me to tell you is that thousands of drivers, both drivers and SMEs will be affected by the new requirements.”
Asare, says the company is supporting partners with applications, documentation and progress tracking.
She adds that meeting the deadline will depend on coordination between regulators, operators and the platform, while taking into account drivers who have already begun complying.
E-hailing is a service that allows users to book transport, such as taxis or private cars, via smartphone apps or websites, connecting them directly with drivers but wants stronger cooperation with operators.
The government said it recognises the value of e-hailing services, but wants stronger collaboration and compliance with the law.
Speaking at a meeting with e-hailing companies last week, minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus said, “the Ministry of ICT and the Ministry of Works and Transport have a very concerted interest in the work of e-hailing services in the country.”
She said the service is important and has helped improve transport. “The service that you offer is very much important. We welcome it. It has contributed greatly to the transportation sector in the country,” she said.
Theofelus highlighted the role of technology, saying e-hailing has helped connect public demand with service supply through innovation.
Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi said that all operators must follow the law.
“As Minister of Works and Transport and a lawmaker, I expect anybody who wants to do any business in Namibia must comply with the laws of the Republic of Namibia,” he said.
He warned that those who do not want to comply should not enter the market. “If you do not want to do that, you do not enter into the Namibian market or do not enter that business that is regulated,” he said.
Nekundi explained that transport operators must have proper documents before operating. “The law prescribes that for a person to transport passengers, before you start, you must have certain documents issued to you by the Ministry of Works and Transport,” he said.
He added that vehicles must pass required tests and drivers must have a public driving permit (PDP), including passing medical checks.
Reflecting on progress made last year, Nekundi said some e-hailing operators have started complying. “Yango deregistered 1 500 operators who were using the platform without having the necessary documentation,” he said.
He added that about 400 drivers have applied to get the required permits by the end of September 2025.
“What is paramount is for us to appreciate the compliance by the e-hailing service providers. They were very, very much forthcoming,” Nekundi said.
He said the government is confident of continued cooperation. “We are very positive that the Ministry of Works and Transport and these e-hailing services will continue to work together and reshape the public transport services in this country,” he said.
E-hailing operators raised concerns about delays in the permit application process, saying it negatively affects drivers who depend on the sector for income, and called for a review of the system as well as the road transportation laws that are currently outdated.
COMMENTS