LincRide launches WhatsApp ride-hailing service in Lagos with more than 3,000 drivers
Key Takeaways
- •LincRide has expanded from carpooling into on-demand ride-hailing in Lagos, launching the new service with a pool of more than 3,000 verified drivers.
- •Passengers can book rides entirely through WhatsApp by sharing a pickup point and destination, receiving an automatic driver match with details and an estimated arrival time without installing a rider app.
- •All drivers complete identity and vehicle verification before their first trip and use a dedicated LincRide partner app to accept requests, navigate and track earnings.
- •Drivers pay a 7.5% commission on their first five completed rides each day, with the rate dropping to 2.5% on subsequent rides that day, alongside applicable regulatory charges including 7.5% VAT.
- •The company positions WhatsApp booking as a way to speed up first-time ride requests and reach people with limited phone storage or mobile data in a market where the messaging app is widely used.
LincRide, a Nigerian mobility technology company, has launched an on-demand ride-hailing service in Lagos, expanding beyond its existing carpooling offering. The service begins with more than 3,000 verified drivers and allows passengers to book rides directly through WhatsApp without downloading a separate rider app.
Drivers manage trip requests, navigation and earnings through the dedicated LincRide partner app. Riders, meanwhile, can request a trip through a messaging platform they already use.
Booking rides through WhatsApp
Getting around Lagos can involve heavy traffic, coordinating pickup points and finding reliable transportation at short notice. Most ride-hailing services require passengers to download, install and register on a new before requesting a trip.
LincRide is using WhatsApp as its booking channel, removing the app-download requirement. The company says this can make it faster for first-time users to request a ride and improve access for people with limited phone storage or mobile data. The channel choice carries weight in a market like Lagos, one of Africa’s largest cities, where WhatsApp is among the most widely used messaging apps — meaning many prospective riders can book a trip from an app already on their phone.
Passengers can book a ride in three steps:
- Send a message to LincRide on WhatsApp at 0705 179 7935 or use
- Share the pickup point and destination.
- Receive an automatic match with a verified driver, along with the driver’s details and estimated arrival time in the same chat.
Every LincRide driver completes identity and vehicle verification before taking a first trip. After onboarding, drivers use the LincRide partner app to accept requests, navigate to pickup locations and track their earnings.
Commission structure for drivers
LincRide is launching with what it describes as the lowest driver commission in Lagos. Drivers pay a 7.5% commission on their first five completed rides each day. The rate then falls to 2.5% on every subsequent ride for the rest of that day.
Total deductions per trip consist of the commission and applicable regulatory charges, including 7.5% VAT.
For a two-sided mobility service, driver supply underpins the rider experience, since consistent pickups depend on having enough active drivers on the road. The launch pool of more than 3,000 verified drivers, paired with a commission that drops as daily trips accumulate, is aimed at building and retaining that supply.
“Our drivers are at the centre of this launch,” said Tobiloba Osinubi, Head of Operations and Business Development Lead at LincRide. “Every driver is verified before their first trip, and that process isn’t just about safety for riders. It’s how we build a community of professionals who take pride in their work. Once they’re on the road, the partner app gives them a clear, real-time view of their requests, trips and earnings, so there are no surprises at the end of the day.
“We also know that drivers in Lagos work long hours in tough conditions, and too much of what they earn has traditionally gone to platform fees. That’s why we built a commission structure that rewards effort: after their first five rides each day, drivers keep even more of every fare. When drivers are well supported and fairly paid, riders feel it in every trip, through better service, more reliable pickups and drivers who want to stay on the platform.”
Expansion beyond carpooling
The ride-hailing launch builds on LincRide’s existing carpooling service, which connects commuters travelling along similar routes so they can share rides and split costs. While the carpooling service matches people already travelling in the same direction, the new ride-hailing product provides an on-demand option for individual trips.
Together, the two services offer Lagos residents the option of sharing a commute to reduce costs or booking a private ride when they need one.
“We want accessing a ride to be as straightforward as possible,” said Faith Nkenchor, Product Manager at LincRide. “Customers can now request rides through WhatsApp without downloading a separate rider app. It is another step in our commitment to building mobility solutions around how people live and move every day.”
As the rollout progresses, early indicators worth watching include how the WhatsApp booking channel holds up during peak traffic periods and whether the verified driver pool grows beyond its initial 3,000.
LincRide is a Lagos-based mobility company offering carpooling and instant ride-hailing. Its carpool service connects commuters travelling along the same route with verified Hosts, while its ride-hailing service allows passengers to book a verified driver directly through WhatsApp.
The company’s website is Its listed social media accounts include Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.
