Female Ethiopian entrepreneur builds Uber competitor

folarin okunola

June 9, 2015 3:50 PM

The service registers blue/white city taxi drivers and connects them automatically to customers who SMS their location.

RIDE Founder, Miss Samrawit Weldemariam with the Ethiopian ICT Minister.

The 8th ICT Exhibition and Bazaar was held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, with various inventions and products displayed to thousands of attendees.

Ethiopian youths have shown remarkable interest in technological advancements which is promising for the future of technology in the country. Various companies displayed their products and services at the event, one of which is RIDE, an on-demand SMS taxi service that recently launched in the capital by a company called Hybrid Designs.

On the idea behind the RIDE concept, Samrawit Weldemariam, the Founder and lead programmer of Hybrid Designs, makers of the app, said "Women in Addis are generally afraid to take a small taxi after work at night because they don't know the driver and don't feel safe. So the app is mainly to facilitate safety and convenience. Men also say they would like a safer way to take a taxi."

Weldemariam also explained the birth of the service, stating that it was developed by a three-man team, which includes her, taking a total of four months to complete, and partnering with Ethio-Telecom and the City Goverment of Addis Ababa Road Transport Bureau to bring the service to life.

The Ethiopian ICT Minster Dr. Debretsion also attended the event with numerous higher governmental officials that gave the event critical acclaim. Visiting the booth of RIDE, Dr. Debretion met Weldemariam, and learned about the service profoundly giving words of encouragement.

RIDE is expected to register thousands of drivers in the coming few months which gives the city another dimension of easy, convenient and safe transportation system.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

folarin okunola