Ride-Hailing Industry Trends to Watch in 2025

What will your ride-hailing business look like in 2026?

It’s a question that’s been on my mind a lot lately. Last week, I was talking to a fellow driver, a young guy who just got one of those new EVs with the green number plates. While I was complaining about the latest fuel price hike, he was talking about charging times and software updates.

He wasn't worried about the same things I was. He was playing a different game.

That conversation stuck with me. For years, we’ve all played by the same rules: drive more, earn more. But the rules are changing right under our wheels. With EVs, new NTSA regulations, and the apps adding more services, just driving isn't enough anymore. We have to look ahead, or we risk getting left behind.

The Game is Changing. Are You Ready to Level Up?

This isn't a cause for panic.

It's a wake-up call.

The ride-hailing industry is growing up. It's becoming more complex, more technologically advanced, and more competitive. For drivers who are just going through the motions, this is a threat.

But for drivers who are willing to adapt?

For those who are willing to think like business owners and look at the road ahead?

This is a massive opportunity. The future belongs to the informed, the prepared, and the strategic driver. Here are the five major trends you need to be watching in 2026 to make sure you’re one of them.

Trend 1: The Electric Vehicle (EV) Revolution is Here

For years, EVs felt like something for other countries. A distant dream. But they are now a reality on Nairobi's roads, and their numbers are growing fast.

The Kenyan government is pushing hard for this change. They've set a target for 5% of all vehicles registered by 2025 to be electric. To make this happen, they've slashed import duties and removed VAT on EVs. Companies like Kenya Power are investing millions to install thousands of charging stations across the country, with over 200 already operational.

• What this means for you: The biggest conversation in our industry—the price of petrol—is about to change. Early EV adopters are already reporting massive savings on fuel and maintenance (no oil changes, no spark plugs). As the charging network expands beyond the city centers, owning an EV will become a major competitive advantage. We explore this in more detail in our guide on the future of electric vehicles in ride-hailing.
• How to prepare: You don't need to rush out and buy an EV tomorrow. But you need to start learning. Use a tool like a simple notebook to track your current weekly fuel and maintenance costs. This is your baseline. Then, start researching. Find out where the charging stations are on your common routes. Learn about the different EV models available in Kenya. The driver who understands the costs and benefits will be ready to make the switch when the time is right.

Trend 2: Your Business is Becoming a "Super App"

Think about your Uber or Bolt app. A few years ago, it did one thing: connect you with riders.

Now? You can deliver food (Uber Eats), packages (Uber Connect), and groceries. This is the "Super App" trend, and it’s a big deal globally. In Kenya, we’ve seen how M-Pesa grew from a simple money transfer service into a massive platform for payments, loans, and business services. The ride-hailing apps are following the same playbook.

• What this means for you: Your income streams are diversifying. You are no longer just a taxi driver; you are a logistics partner. On a slow Tuesday afternoon when ride requests are few, you could be making money delivering a meal or a package.
• How to prepare: Embrace the new services. Opt-in to Uber Connect or other delivery options. The key is to understand your profitability for each service. A short delivery might pay less than a long airport run, but if it keeps you busy during a lull, it could increase your overall hourly earnings. This is where tracking your income sources becomes vital.

Trend 3: Data is Your New Co-Driver

The most successful drivers of 2026 won't be the ones who drive the most miles. They will be the ones who best understand their own data.

Gut feeling and guesswork are becoming obsolete. The complexity of Super Apps, fluctuating fuel costs, and city traffic means you need to know your numbers.

• What this means for you: Your business is a goldmine of data. Which days of the week are most profitable? Which routes have the best fuel efficiency? How much does that car wash really cost you per month? Answering these questions with data, not guesses, is the key to maximizing your profit.
• How RiderPal helps you prepare: This is exactly why we built RiderPal. It’s designed to be your business data center.
  • Track Everything: By logging all your income and expenses, you see your true profit, not just your revenue. You can see exactly how much you're spending on fuel vs. maintenance vs. airtime.
  • Performance Reports: The reports tab shows you your vehicle's fuel efficiency (Km/L). You might discover that long, steady highway trips are more profitable for your car than short, stop-and-go trips in CBD traffic, even if the surge is high.
  • Set Smart Goals: Knowing your numbers allows you to set realistic daily targets that cover your costs and your savings goals, a topic we cover in-depth in our Retirement Planning guide.

Trend 4: Regulation is Getting Serious

The days of the "wild west" are over. The government, through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), is taking a much more active role in our industry.

The NTSA's 2022 regulations introduced rules like an 18% cap on commission and requirements for licensing. As reported by AutoMag.co.ke, these rules are getting stricter, with requirements for newer vehicles (2018 models or newer by January 2026) to ensure safety and quality. The conversation around driver welfare, fair pay, and working conditions is growing louder, not just in Kenya but globally.

• What this means for you: Compliance is no longer optional. You must have the correct licenses (PSV, etc.) and ensure your vehicle meets the standards. While this can seem like a hassle, it’s also a move to professionalize our industry, which can lead to better standards and potentially better working conditions in the long run.
• How to prepare: Stay informed. Follow reputable news sources for updates from the NTSA. Keep your documents organized and up-to-date. Use a simple folder or even a Google Drive account to store digital copies of your license, inspection certificates, and insurance. Being organized makes compliance less stressful.

Trend 5: Your Car Now Has an Expiry Date

For years, the main requirement for your car was that it was clean and well-maintained. That’s changing. Fast. To improve safety and customer experience, platforms are now enforcing strict age limits on vehicles.

Uber has been clear: from January 2026, vehicles joining the popular Uber ChapChap category must be 12 years old or newer. This means a 2014 model will be deactivated at the end of 2026. My own 2017 Aqua will have to retire from the platform in 2029. Other platforms like Little Cab are also raising their standards, requesting physical inspections for their Comfort and Comfort Plus categories.

• What this means for you: Your car, your biggest business asset, now has a clear deadline. This introduces a major, predictable expense that you cannot ignore: vehicle replacement. You are no longer just saving for retirement; you are saving for the continuation of your business itself.
• How to prepare: You must start planning for your next car today. This isn't an emergency; it's a predictable business cost.
  • Know Your Date: First, check your car's year of manufacture and the platform rules. Calculate the exact year your car will be retired.
  • Create a "Vehicle Upgrade" Goal: This is where a tool like RiderPal is essential. Go into the "Better Goal Setter" and create a new, long-term savings goal specifically for your next vehicle.
  • Make it a Business Expense: Treat the contribution to this goal like you treat fuel. It's a non-negotiable cost of doing business. By adding it to your daily earnings target, you ensure that every day you work, you are also working towards the future of your business.

The Driver of the Future is a CEO

Look around you on the road today.

The drivers who will still be thriving in 2026 are the ones who see these trends not as threats, but as a roadmap.

They are preparing for an electric future. They are embracing new income streams. They are using data to make sharp business decisions. They are treating their work not as a simple gig, but as a serious, professional enterprise.

The car is the tool. The app is the platform.

But you? You are the CEO. The future of your business is in your hands.

Ready to become the CEO of your driving business? Download RiderPal today to start tracking your data, understanding your profit, and preparing for the road ahead.