Addis Abeba’s ride-hailing drivers are facing mounting obstacles as the city’s rapid urban transformation limits space for app-based mobility. Platforms like Feres, Ride, and Yango lack designated pick-up and drop-off areas. City policies prohibit stops at public bus terminals and main roads, leading to penalties in busy areas.
In Addis Abeba, the push for urban overhaul is creating significant hurdles for ride-hailing drivers. As the city undergoes rapid changes, app-based services such as Feres, Ride, and Yango operate without allocated zones for picking up or dropping off passengers. This lack of infrastructure forces drivers into precarious situations on the roads.
City regulations strictly bar these vehicles from accessing public bus terminals and major thoroughfares. Even brief stops in high-traffic neighborhoods like Teklehaymanot, Mercato, and Bole Brass result in penalties. Drivers find themselves penalized for halting almost anywhere to serve customers amid the bustling urban environment.
The article, published on January 4, 2026, by Yitbarek Getachew, a Fortune staff writer, highlights how these policies are sidelining ride-hailing operations. The transformation aims to streamline city mobility but appears to overlook the needs of digital transport providers, leaving drivers on the wrong side of progress.
