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HAWASSA, ETHIOPIA — Yango, the international tech company and prominent ride-hailing service provider, has officially launched its operations in Hawassa. This strategic move marks the company’s very first expansion within Ethiopia outside of the capital city, Addis Ababa, signaling a new chapter for digital transport localization in the country’s rapidly growing regional hubs.
To celebrate the launch and incentivize early adoption, Yango is offering passengers a 30% discount on their first three trips booked through the application.
A Tailored Transport Ecosystem for Hawassa
Recognizing that transport needs vary from city to city, Yango has customized its application in Hawassa to support the city’s most popular modes of transit. In collaboration with local partners Keelna Trading and Contrast Trading, Yango is introducing two distinct vehicle categories and tariff classes:
- The Bajaj Tariff: This class accommodates Hawassa’s highly utilized three-wheeler and four-wheeler Bajajs (light passenger vehicles), bringing structural pricing and digital dispatch to the city’s most common transit method.
- The Moto Tariff: This option allows users to book fast, efficient motorcycle travel services directly through the app, catering to solo travelers looking to beat urban traffic.
Driving Digitalization in a Growing Hub
Hawassa’s rapid economic and population growth makes it an ideal candidate for smart city solutions. Company representatives emphasize that the city’s existing transport infrastructure is mature enough and highly receptive to digital alternatives.
“Hawassa is one of the fastest-growing cities in Ethiopia, possessing a transportation system that is ripe for digital options,” said Dr. Yingalem Abebe, speaking on behalf of the initiative. “Our ultimate goal is twofold: to make urban travel significantly more convenient and predictable for passengers, and to create more sustainable, profitable streams of income for the local drivers who operate these services.”
Yango’s Expanding Global Footprint
Yango first entered the competitive Ethiopian ride-hailing market in November 2023. The platform is operated by Yandex, a global tech conglomerate originally founded in Russia and now headquartered in Dubai, UAE.
The move into Hawassa highlights Yango’s aggressive growth strategy across emerging markets. Beyond ride-hailing, the broader Yango Group operates a massive ecosystem of digital services—including e-grocery delivery, logistics, foodtech, entertainment, and e-commerce—spanning more than 30 countries across Africa, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia.
By scaling its ride-hailing technology into Ethiopia’s secondary cities, Yango is looking to cement its position as a dominant digital transit provider in East Africa.
