Namibian entrepreneur launches women-only e-hailing service after frightening taxi experiences
Simone Frans, a 25-year-old entrepreneur, is developing HerRide Namibia, an e-hailing service exclusively for women drivers and passengers. This initiative stems from two personal robbery experiences in taxis that left her feeling unsafe. Frans aims to provide a transport option where women feel safer, heard, and protected, emphasizing that the service is not discriminatory but addresses the higher rates of violations women face. The app will verify driver identities through facial recognition before passengers enter vehicles, and fares will be distance-based. Frans notes that the service will also create job opportunities for women car owners. Feasibility research has garnered positive responses, with many women expressing excitement for a safe and comfortable travel option. Frans recounted a 2024 robbery where she was forced to hand over cash and a watch, and another in April 2025 where perfumes were stolen. These incidents highlight broader safety concerns, as The Namibian reported on multiple taxi robberies last year, including cases where women were forced to withdraw money. While Windhoek councillor Fransina Kahungu questions the separation of genders in transport, Windhoek resident Miriam Apollus supports the concept, prioritizing women's safety and expressing comfort with female drivers.
