inDrive, the global mobility and delivery platform, has launched cashless payments in South Africa. The new feature complements inDrive’s existing cash and local payment options, offering users greater flexibility in how they pay and get paid.
The launch reinforces inDrive’s evolution from a cash-first service to a flexible payment model while staying true to its people-driven platform. Unlike traditional ride-hailing platforms, inDrive allows passengers and drivers to negotiate fares directly in the app, creating a more transparent and flexible experience.
Responding to real user needs
Insights from inDrive’s city-researches highlight strong demand for card payments among both riders and drivers. These include scenarios such as areas with limited access to cash, when booking rides for others, or for tourists arriving in a country without local currency on hand. Some users also noted that paying by card can simplify coordination and reduce friction when ordering rides for family members. The introduction of card payments helps streamline transactions and improve overall reliability for both sides of the marketplace.
According to the latest dLocal Emerging Markets Payments Handbook, cards account for 63% of eCommerce transactions in South Africa, a clear signal that consumers are ready for digital-first experiences.
Expanding choice, not replacing it
Rather than shifting to a single global payment model, inDrive continues to tailor its approach market by market. Cash remains available where it is widely used, local methods such as PayShap are supported where relevant, and card payments are introduced where they meet clear demand. South Africa represents a strong example of this approach. The market is rapidly embracing digital payments, while cash still plays an important role in everyday transactions.
“South Africa is one of the clearest markets where adding card payments makes sense,” said Ashif Black, inDrive Country Representative in South Africa. “We’re not moving away from cash — we’re expanding choice. Our goal is to give people the flexibility to pay in the way that works best for them in different situations.”
A scalable step forward
The South Africa launch also demonstrates inDrive’s ability to support card payments while maintaining its unique marketplace model. The integration with dLocal, the leading cross-border payment platform connecting global merchants to emerging markets, enables reliable and localized payment processing. Thanks to their expertise in emerging markets payments infrastructure, inDrive can now offer local card collection for passengers, automated payment splitting between driver earnings and platform fees, and fast payouts to drivers via local rails, all through a single integration.
As inDrive continues to grow globally, the company remains focused on building a platform that reflects local habits rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all solution.