Study finds Yango used by 80% of Lusaka residents, key to jobs, urban mobility

Nearly 80 percent of residents in the Lusaka metropolitan area use Yango ride-hailing services, positioning the platform as an essential part of urban mobility rather than a luxury, according to a new study by Global South Research.

The report, titled Zambia’s Ride-Hailing Economy: Not a Luxury, but a Lifeline, found that two-thirds of Yango partner drivers treat the service as their primary occupation, with most working full-time.

Their average monthly income was estimated at K5,500 — close to Zambia’s national average of K5,883 and significantly higher than many informal or part-time jobs.

The study highlighted a fragile balance between affordability for passengers and income stability for partner drivers.

It noted that a 10 percent increase in fares could cause 67 percent of passengers to reduce usage, while a 10 percent decrease would only encourage 31 percent to take more rides.

Peak-hour trips were found to command fares of around K60 for a 10-minute, 5-kilometre ride, such as from Manda Hill shopping mall to the inter-city bus terminal.

By contrast, midday fares typically drop as the system adjusts to lower demand, offering cheaper options for passengers.

Global South Research said the ride-hailing sector has become a key source of employment and mobility in Lusaka.

“When a market works, it’s not charity or exploitation — it’s mutual respect between labor and service, between cities and citizens,” the report stated.

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