Too big to ignore: InDrive pushes for reform as Morocco preps for the world stage

Senior executives at InDrive said the company is planning to capture a competitive share of the transportation landscape during the 2030 World Cup, building on momentum that has already placed Morocco among its top 15 global markets, and buoyed by positive signs that may help smooth over regulatory challenges.

For all the barriers to entry in Morocco’s ride-sharing landscape, InDrive has emerged as a standout player,  operating in 10 cities and collaborating with over 50,000 drivers across the country. In 2024, it became the most downloaded transportation app in Morocco.

“That’s the market power we have,”  Senior Director at InDrive,Ilya Gusakov told Hespress English in an interview, as the platform’s stack of wins now seems to be too strong to ignore.

After years of friction, taxi unions have recently begun approaching InDrive, together with the government, Gusakov said.

“InDrive can bring the right solution to properly regulate the market,” he said, drawing on their experience as a market leader in other countries and offering ideas and examples of what has worked elsewhere. 

 “We truly believe that it’s not possible to make regulations for the business without involving the business,” he said.

But what would be a key to success, he said, is to  have “the government to involve all stakeholders in roundtable discussions to find the right solution for the market,” adding that the current system remains “too fragmented.”

And with the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations approaching, it’s more important than ever for the government to step in and resolve the ongoing tensions between taxi drivers and ride-hailing drivers, said Gusakov. “Morocco is preparing to welcome an influx of foreign tourists, and these kinds of local disputes shouldn’t be what visitors remember.”

He emphasized that InDrive is doing everything it can, but cannot solve the issue alone, urging the involvement of the government, ministries, and tax authorities to help find a lasting solution.

Commitment to collaboration:

The Senior Director at InDrive emphasized that the industry is growing due to the market’s increasing demand for ride-hailing, which will ultimately shift from traditional taxis to ride-hailing services.

He highlighted that InDrive includes a taxi model in its app, and “many traditional taxi drivers, especially younger ones, are beginning to switch to the platform.”

Gusakov argued that InDrive’s peer-to-peer model gives drivers and passengers the freedom to negotiate based on factors like price, distance, and ratings, creating a more flexible experience for users.

InDrive’s community commitment:

Beyond transportation services, InDrive also is committed to purpose-driven initiatives that address community needs, emphasized Egor Fedorov, the Chief Impact Officer at InDrive.

Morocco is one of InDrive’s focus countries, as “it is not only a key market for the company but also because the community and government are open to change and solving existing problems,” he said.

In Morocco, the company runs the Supernovas football academy, offering free world-class training to local youth, said Fedorov.

The program “aims to develop their sports skills while also teaching leadership, community change, and personal growth, helping them stay away from the streets.”

He said that InDrive has already introduced football academies in four cities across Morocco and plans to expand to major cities soon. Initially, they focused on rural areas, with plans to open schools in Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakesh.

InDrive also supports the Aurora Tech Award, the fastest-growing global prize for women tech entrepreneurs, he added. The company focuses on economic empowerment, particularly for women in underserved communities with limited opportunities.

Fedorov told Hespress English that, with initiatives like football schools and a focus on sportsmanship, alongside other upcoming projects, InDrive aims to contribute to Morocco’s readiness by improving its services, offering world-class ride-hailing, and ensuring a smooth experience for both locals and visitors.

“We are a true local company here, employing local people from the country,” he said.