Ethiopia - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

A ride-sharing business connecting drivers and passengers via an app, focusing on market analysis, driver recruitment, technology development, pricing strategy, and regulatory compliance to provide convenient, affordable, and safe transportation solutions

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

The ride-sharing business idea revolves around creating a platform that connects individuals in need of transportation with drivers willing to provide it. The business plan typically includes market analysis, detailing target demographics and geographical areas, as well as strategies for driver recruitment, user acquisition, and retention. It also addresses technology development, including app design and features for seamless user experience, alongside considerations for pricing, regulations. Ultimately, the goal is to establish a reliable and profitable service that meets the transportation needs of consumers while ensuring driver satisfaction and safety. Gas prices can significantly impact ride-hailing businesses as they affect drivers' operating costs. Ride-sharing in our country is a relatively new idea and can solve this problem.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem ride-sharing services aim to solve is inefficient transportation and mobility challenges. By providing an accessible, convenient, and affordable alternative to traditional modes of transportation, such as taxis or personal vehicles, ride-sharing services address issues like traffic congestion, parking scarcity, environmental pollution, and limited access to public transportation. Additionally, ride-sharing enhances mobility options for individuals without personal vehicles, improves last-mile connectivity, and promotes shared resource utilization, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and efficient urban transportation ecosystems.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

We have implemented advanced safety features such as real-time trip monitoring, emergency assistance buttons, and real-time trip sharing with loved ones and verified passengers and drivers to ensure a secure environment for all users. Our innovative pricing model is designed to provide competitive rates for passengers while ensuring fair compensation for drivers by leveraging data-driven algorithms and dynamic pricing mechanisms. We have found a way to prioritize fair pricing while ensuring driver availability, which sets us apart from other ride-hailing services in Ethiopia.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

1. Residents in urban areas benefit from ride-sharing services by gaining access to convenient and affordable transportation options, reducing the need for personal vehicles, and alleviating the challenges of parking and traffic congestion. 2. Ride-sharing services contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the number of individual vehicles on the road, lowering carbon emissions, and promoting shared resource utilization, thereby mitigating the environmental impact of transportation. 3. Those who do not own personal vehicles, such as teenagers, elderly individuals, and individuals with disabilities, benefit from ride-sharing services as an alternative mode of transportation, providing them with independence and mobility. 4. Drivers who participate in ride-sharing platforms have the opportunity to earn income flexibly, supplementing their existing sources of income or transitioning to self-employment. This is particularly beneficial for individuals seeking flexible work.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-03-10

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Semhal Hagos Charles Komlan

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

j) Public services

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

3

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

By providing accessible and convenient transportation options, ride-sharing services improve access to healthcare facilities and services, contributing to better health outcomes for individuals, especially those in underserved communities.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Ride-sharing services promote the use of shared vehicles, reducing the number of individual cars on the road and decreasing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, thereby supporting efforts to mitigate climate change and promote clean energy solutions.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Ride-sharing services create employment opportunities for drivers, and other employees particularly in E5hiopia where there is high unemployment rates or limited job prospects. By providing a platform for individuals to become drivers, ride-sharing services contribute to the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, as outlined in SDG 8.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Ride-sharing platforms leverage innovative technologies and digital infrastructure to optimize transportation networks, enhance mobility options, and improve connectivity, contributing to sustainable urban development and infrastructure.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

By reducing traffic congestion, air pollution, and carbon emissions, ride-sharing services help create more livable and sustainable cities, improving urban mobility, enhancing public transportation systems, and promoting inclusive and equitable access to transportation for all residents.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

6

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

3

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

Some ride-hailing services in Ethiopia already exist with a bit similar product. But our product will improve the existing one with unique and different approaches.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Numerous ride-hailing services exist. Some of them are Feres, Ride, Yango, Safe, Adika, and so forth. Despite the fact that many businesses offer ride-hailing services—some even include ride-sharing as a feature—we think there is still a sizable unexplored market. Many competitors attempt to appease drivers by inflating the cost of travel. Passengers will be displeased by this. Some reduce the cost of the trip while upsetting the drivers. but we found a way to keep drivers and passengers satisfied. Safety is yet another major issue facing the ride-hailing industry. However, we will require passengers and drivers to verify their identity and vehicle information before beginning the trip.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

We recognize that female entrepreneurs are an important part of our community. We see their values, and we have a strong female entrepreneur with us. When our company launches, we want to hire a number of female programmers and marketers to our team.