Speaking at last week’s National ICT Summit in Ongwediva, Yango Namibia Country Manager, Aelx Mungai said digital mobility is more than just connecting passengers and lifts, it also creates opportunities for local entrepreneurs with new approaches to logistics, financial services and data-driven tech solutions.
In his presentation titled “Digital Mobility as a Catalyst for Namibia’s Digital Economy,” Mungai explained how a ride-hailing platform relies on several interconnected technologies, including real-time driver-passenger matching, digital mapping, route prediction, payments, data analytics and safety systems.
“Yango is not a taxi app. It’s an ICT case study wearing a taxi cap,” he said, naming it the central idea underpinning his presentation which focused on how digital platforms operate as technology infrastructure that supports services across the physical economy.
For users, the process may appear simple: request a ride and connect with a driver. Behind that interaction, however, technology works continuously to match supply with demand, estimate arrival times, coordinate journeys and support safety. These capabilities demonstrate how ICT can address practical challenges while creating opportunities for further digital innovation.
Mungai also highlighted the economic opportunities in the wider mobility ecosystem. Under Yango’s asset-light operating model, vehicles are owned by driver-partners and fleet owners rather than the platform itself. This creates an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to build transport businesses, manage fleets and access customer demand through digital technology.
The economic contribution extends beyond drivers to businesses such as vehicle maintenance workshops, tyre suppliers, panelbeaters and insurance companies. As transport businesses grow and formalise their operations, these support services can also benefit from increased economic activity.
Compliance and safety were another important focus of the presentation. Mungai highlighted Yango’s collaboration with AA Namibia in digitising driver safety and compliance tracking, like Passenger Carriage Permit (PCP) and Certificate of Compliance (COC) processes.
He further discussed the importance of digital payments and data infrastructure. Digital transactions create more reliable records of economic activity, while aggregated operational data can help businesses better understand demand and make strategic decisions.
Another major theme of the presentation was how digital platforms generate local economic opportunity. Yango operates on an asset-light model in which the company provides the technology platform, while local driver-partners and fleet owners own and maintain the vehicles. This structure allows local entrepreneurs to build and scale their own transport businesses. It also creates a ripple effect throughout the broader economy, driving business to local mechanics, tire shops, service centres, and insurance providers.
Looking ahead, the presentation explored opportunities to extend digital mobility into adjacent areas, for instance logistics, delivery services, financial technology and data solutions for businesses and cities. For Yango, the broader opportunity lies in demonstrating how technology can connect people, businesses and services while contributing to the development of Namibia’s digital economy.
