Mongu taxi drivers have expressed strong opposition to the ride-hailing service Yango, arguing that its lower fares are threatening their businesses. They claim that Yango's pricing—charging K20 where they usually charge K50—is making it difficult for them to meet their daily earnings.

Taxi Drivers’ Demands

The drivers have called on Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana to help remove Yango from the town, arguing that Mongu has not yet developed enough to accommodate such services.

Mayor’s Response

Mayor Muyumbana, however, stood by the principle of a liberalized economy, advising the drivers to embrace competition instead of resisting change. He reminded them that Mongu has a population of over 200,000 residents, many of whom have welcomed Yango for its affordability. He further advised the drivers to escalate their concerns to the Minister of Transport if they were not satisfied with his response.

Public Reaction: Embracing Change

Residents overwhelmingly supported the mayor’s stance, saying Yango offers affordable transport options and fosters business competition. Some argued that Mongu taxi drivers had been overcharging passengers, and the introduction of Yango would create fairer pricing and better services.

Social media reactions included:

"Business is about competition. If other towns have embraced Yango, why not Mongu?"

"Mongu taxi fares were too high. Yango will make transport more affordable."

"Mongu will never develop if we keep rejecting new businesses!"

As Zambia embraces digital transformation, ride-hailing services like Yango are likely to reshape the transport sector. The key question remains: Should taxi drivers adapt to new trends or continue fighting for Yango's removal?