Examining the Role of Yango Ride-Hailing in Enhancing Taxi Drivers' Income Generation: A Case Study of Lusaka District

This study examines the role of Yango ride-hailing on taxi drivers’ income generation in Lusaka District, Zambia, focusing on income stability, scalability, and sustainability. It assesses the influence of Yango’s pricing algorithms and commission structures, examines the effect of driver characteristics (experience, working hours, digital literacy, and customer service skills), and compares income patterns between Yango drivers and conventional taxi operators. A mixed-methods approach was employed, analyzing survey data from 150 drivers (100 Yango, 20 dual, 30 conventional) and 30 in-depth interviews using descriptive statistics, t-tests, regression analysis, and thematic analysis. Findings indicate Yango drivers earn 134.8% higher net income (ZMW 1,605.5 vs. ZMW 683.8 weekly) than conventional operators, moderating to 30.8% when controlling for working hours, aligning with a hypothesized 25–40% advantage. High digital literacy and customer service skills increase earnings by 16.5–24.4%, while experience and longer hours enhance scalability. However, high commission fees (16–25%) and operational costs (ZMW 1,123.5/week) undermine sustainability. The study recommends policy reforms to cap commissions, provide fuel subsidies, and enhance driver training to improve income outcomes and support Zambia’s digital economy.