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April 2026
The Namibian
Yango's partnersare lobbyingMinistry of Works and Transport to extend 28-day permit deadline to three months
Source
“E-hailing service Yango's partners are lobbying the Ministry of Works and Transport to extend a 28-day permit deadline to three months, citing high temporary costs and potential systemic delays.”
Yangois collaborating with Namibian authorities and local fleet partners to ensurefull regulatory compliance, public passenger permit adherence, and enhanced commuter safety
Source
“E-HAILING platform Yango is collaborating with Namibian authorities and local fleet partners to ensure full regulatory compliance, public passenger permit adherence, and enhanced commuter safety.”
Yangohas been engaging withthe Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and the transport ministry to address operational gaps
Source
“According to Asare, the company has been engaging with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, as well as the transport ministry to address operational gaps.”
Yango Namibiasaid293 applications received full approval to operate, three granted conditional approval
Source
“Meanwhile, Yango Namibia on Wednesday said 293 applications have received full approval to operate, and three have been granted conditional approval.”
Fifty Yango e-hailing drivers received training in gender-sensitive communication, conflict management and customer care from Yango Namibia and the Automobile Association of Namibia in Windhoek. The certified programme aims to strengthen professional service standards and promote safer, more respectful journeys for women commuters.
Why it matters
Yango's driver safety training addresses gender-based violence prevention in public transportation.
Fifty Yango e-hailing drivers received training in gender-sensitive communication, conflict management and customer care from Yango Namibia and the Automobile Association of Namibia in Windhoek. The certified programme aims to strengthen professional service standards and promote safer, more respectful journeys for women commuters.
The Swakopmund municipality is verifying 713 taxis on its database while traffic officers enforce against illegal operators, including Yango-linked vehicles.
A man accused of masterminding an acid attack on late Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda declined to reveal the source of N$40,000 he used to purchase a vehicle that the state claims was used to transport acid used in the October attack. Shiweda died from the attack's injuries in February; the vehicle is central to the state's case.
Petrus Shikwaya, one of six men accused of murdering Ondangwa control prosecutor Justine Shiweda, told Ondangwa Magistrate's Court that he did not conspire to commit the murder. Cellphone records showed communication between Shikwaya and his uncle Abner Matheus, whom the State alleges masterminded the killing, and bank transfers allegedly linked to the purchase of corrosive substance used in the attack.
The Ministry of Works and Transport launched a pilot electric vehicle charging station at its headquarters in Windhoek, with Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi describing it as a strategic pilot project intended to inform the expansion of an EV charging network across the country. The ministry, which manages government-owned infrastructure, plans to eventually serve both government fleet vehicles and the public.
Yango Group has announced the launch of Yango Tech in Africa, offering artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure solutions to businesses, city authorities and public-sector organisations across sectors including mobility, healthcare, financial services and retail.
Windhoek's rollout of a cashless parking system requiring KPI-issued or bank cards has caused confusion and frustration among motorists, many of whom lack access to these payment methods. The article argues that rapid digital transitions without adequate consultation disproportionately affect those outside the formal banking system.
Namibian police have warned that illegal taxi operators will face fines starting at N$2,000 and arrest upon a third transgression. The warning follows concerns raised by the Namibia Public Passenger Transport Association about 3,450 illegally operating cars since 2018, particularly in Rundu in Kavango East.
Taxi drivers in smaller towns like Katima Mulilo say the new N$15 nationwide fare increase, which took effect yesterday, offers little benefit to them as commuters refuse to pay full fares and negotiate lower prices. Drivers in smaller towns report being forced to accept below-approved payments to avoid conflict with passengers.
Ride-hailing company Yango Namibia has submitted about 1,500 permit applications and spent N$1.3 million on temporary operating permit fees while navigating administrative delays. The Ministry of Works and Transport has threatened action if Yango and its drivers do not comply with regulations.
The state alleges that murder accused Petrus Shikwaya fraudulently took possession of his uncle's Suzuki vehicle and gave it to co-accused Petrus Uusiku as a reward for buying acid used to attack Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda on 17 October 2025. Shikwaya denies the allegations, claiming the vehicle was purchased for his uncle at the decision of his uncles.
Petrus Shikwaya, 21, testified at his bail hearing that his uncle, former police officer Abner Mateus, used his bank account and sent money through him without his knowledge, including funds allegedly used to buy acid for the attack on prosecutor Justine Shiweda. Shikwaya denied knowing Shiweda or being present during the incident, saying he was in Windhoek at the time.
Transport minister Veikko Nekundi has ruled out any extension to the end-of-April 2026 deadline for e-hailing operators to obtain regularisation permits and comply with legal requirements. The minister said operators had more than a year to comply and that those who have applied have already received permits, while temporary permits remain underutilised.
Yango says drivers face income loss due to prolonged permit approval delays from the Roads Authority, with some waiting up to 12 months despite submitting required documentation and fees. The company calls on the Ministry of Works and Transport to streamline the process and allow compliant drivers to work while applications are processed.
Yango's partners are lobbying the Ministry of Works and Transport to extend a 28-day permit deadline to three months, citing high temporary costs (N$850/month) and concerns about system delays from processing over 6,000 vehicle registrations. Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi said the sector must comply with existing regulations and warned that non-compliant operators will face action from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.
E-hailing platform Yango has announced a collaborative effort with Namibian authorities and local fleet partners to ensure full regulatory compliance, public passenger permit adherence, and enhanced commuter safety. The company works with about 25 local SMEs that control their own fleets and employ drivers, and uses photo verification and app-based reporting to enhance safety and prevent fraud.
E-hailing company Yango Namibia said it is taking steps to comply with regulatory requirements from the Ministry of Works and Transport, including public passenger permit standards, while working with fleet partners and investigating reports of unregistered drivers.
Namibia's transport and ICT ministries have given unregistered e-hailing operators including Yango, InDrive, and Lefa 56 days to obtain public passenger permits or face vehicle impoundment. The requirement follows a meeting between transport minister Veikko Nekundi and operators, with platforms given 28 days to ensure full compliance and the ministries a further 28 days to verify, before enforcement action.
Transport minister Veikko Nekundi announced that a forthcoming public passage bill will address e-hailing services operating illegally in Namibia, as current law requires all transport operators to obtain road carrier permits from the Ministry of Works and Transport. The ministry has engaged the Attorney General to hold e-hailing platforms accountable for allowing unlicensed operators.