inDrive recently joined in the action at GITEX Africa for the third year in a row, where our team took part in two panel discussions. One of these, titled "Digitising the Equality Equation," looked at persistent inequalities across various industries, including economic empowerment, education, health, and employment and the role of digitisation in tackling them.
In this panel, Egor Fedorov, our Chief Impact Officer, discussed how inDrive is leveraging technology to promote equality, by offering a platform where both drivers and riders have a fair say in pricing, improving access to transportation, and supporting economic empowerment in underserved communities.
He raised several important points on the importance of businesses getting involved to promote and support economic empowerment:
Digitisation is no longer optional – but it must serve people, not exclude them. Tech has changed the world, often for the better. But too often, it reinforces inequality instead of closing gaps.
Inclusive innovation must be systemic and scalable – not just a series of pilot projects that look good on paper but have no real impact.
It’s essential to bring mobility (and other services) to remote regions that are typically underserved. Mobility is not just about getting from A to B, it’s about access, autonomy, and opportunity.
Equality is not a trend, it’s a necessity. Empowering local communities isn’t political; it’s good for people and it’s good for business.
The next five years will be shaped by AI adoption. To be ready, Africa needs bold education and workforce strategies. That’s why inDrive supports policies and programs that empower local talent - so every country can benefit from this global shift, not just watch from the sidelines.
These ideas form part of the reason why inDrive is investing in emerging-market tech, women founders and various educational initiatives globally. They also inform our business model , where we take ride-hailing and other services to places that are typically underserved or neglected. We’re also putting control back in people’s hands by providing a platform where they can directly negotiate for services they need.
We believe that focusing on impact is a worthwhile approach, because when people thrive, so do businesses and economies.
