As Nigeria prepares to mark its 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1, some drivers and commuters in Abuja could soon have another option for navigating the city, with the planned launch of an electric vehicle-based e-hailing service.

PromiseLand Innovations Limited is scheduled to introduce ProTaxi on October 1, beginning operations in Abuja before expanding to other parts of the country.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Lawrence Oloche, had earlier announced plans to provide 1,000 new electric vehicles to families through the ProTaxi initiative.

Oloche said: “For drivers struggling with the cost of petrol and the pressure of maintaining conventional vehicles, the initiative is being presented as an opportunity to work with rechargeable electric vehicles rather than depending entirely on fuel-powered cars.

“The launch marks the company’s entry into Nigeria’s growing e-hailing market, with plans to expand to other parts of the country. ProTaxi is being introduced as a technology-driven transportation service aimed at connecting drivers with commuters while encouraging the adoption of cleaner energy solutions in the mobility sector.

“The scheme is expected to create employment and income-generating opportunities for eligible Nigerians, particularly men and women who can drive and are interested in participating in the emerging electric mobility sector.”

According to him, prospective drivers will be required to register for consideration, subject to screening, verification and onboarding.

He noted that the initiative is designed to provide drivers with access to vehicles and a digital platform through which they can offer transportation services and earn income.

He added, “With its rechargeable energy model, ProTaxi aims to reduce dependence on petrol-powered vehicles and address some of the operating cost challenges faced by drivers in the face of changing global energy prices.

“The platform will allow passengers to book rides, access trip information and make payments through a mobile application designed for Android and iPhone users.

“It is also expected to feature driver verification, real-time trip tracking, ratings and reviews, as well as location-sharing facilities aimed at improving transparency and passenger safety.

“Drivers are expected to have flexible working schedules, allowing them to manage their availability while earning through the platform.”

PromiseLand Innovations said the use of electric vehicles is intended to reduce reliance on petrol-powered vehicles and lower some operating costs associated with conventional transportation.

The company, which also has interests in real estate development through PromiseLand Estate, is expanding its business activities into the transportation and e-hailing sector.

“The October 1 launch is expected to position ProTaxi as a new entrant in Nigeria’s e-hailing industry, with emphasis on green-energy transportation, affordable mobility and opportunities for drivers.

“The company has also expressed its ambition to expand the platform beyond Nigeria and contribute to the adoption of cleaner transportation solutions across Africa,” he said.