Local ride-hailing company, LEFA, has announced its milestone of clocking up more than 200,000 successful App rides.
Founder and Managing Director, Melkies Ausiku says the achievement is a culmination of the hailing company’s commitment to high standards for its customers.
“We take great pride in upholding our values of safety, reliability, and convenience, which are reflected in every ride we provide. By consistently delivering a safe, reliable, and convenient ride experience, we have earned the trust and loyalty of our clients, helping us to achieve this important milestone,” he told The Brief.
“What sets us apart from our competitors in the market is our unwavering commitment to safety and quality. At LEFA, we place great emphasis on strict vetting of our drivers and vehicles to ensure that every ride is safe and secure. In addition, all of our cars are registered with the Namibia Tourism Board and fully insured, providing our clients with added peace of mind.”
Ausiku said the transport company has ambitious long-term plans to expand its transportation network and replicate the model in other markets.
“We’re looking to expand not only to other towns within our country, but also to neighbouring countries such as Angola, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, which are currently at the top of our list of potential expansion markets,” he said.
On increased competition in the local market, which has witnessed the entry of international ride-hailing companies such as Yango and InDriver, Ausiku said: “At LEFA, we recognise the highly competitive entry of international ride-hailing services. However, we remain committed to providing the best possible service to our customers, leveraging our local knowledge and expertise to offer a personalised and high-quality experience. Also encouraging Namibians to support local. By Namibians, for Namibia!”
Quizzed if the Namibian ride-hailing market is big enough to support multiple players, both local and international, amid market saturation concerns, he said “we believe that the Namibian ride-hailing market has tremendous potential and is large enough to accommodate multiple players. However, it’s important that all shuttle operators adhere to the same rules and regulations to ensure a level playing field for all. With fair competition and a commitment to providing high-quality service, we believe that there is ample opportunity for all ride-hailing companies to succeed and thrive in the Namibian market.”
On sector challenges, Ausiku said competition from unlicensed, illegal operators was devaluing the cost of transport.
“Lack of investments to scale our business and expand our products and services. High transaction costs—cashless payments and high fuel prices eroding our profit margins,” he said.
The LEFA founder said the business places a strong emphasis on sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint, and was looking at plans to integrate electric vehicles into its fleet.
“We recognise the potential benefits of electric vehicles, such as reduced emissions and lower operating costs, and we are excited about the prospect of partnering with electric vehicle manufacturers to bring more sustainable transportation options to our customers. We believe that this is an important step in the right direction, and we are committed to playing our part in building a more sustainable future,” he said.
