#40Days40FinTechs Zambia and Malawi Edition – Day 27
In Zambia’s bustling public transport system, most bus and taxi payments are still made in cash and passengers often pay a fixed fare, regardless of how far they travel. But a Zambian FinTech startup is challenging this norm with a simple question: Why pay for what you didn’t use?
Enter YendaRide, a digital platform built to make bus ticketing and fare payments smarter, more transparent, and fair. The app allows passengers to pay postpaid fares that are accurately calculated based on the distance they travel no more guesswork, cash losses, or unjust flat rates.
“We saw that passengers were being overcharged or losing change because of the chaotic nature of fare collection on local buses,” says Colins Mulenga Nonde, Founder and CEO of YendaRide. “Our platform solves that problem by giving passengers the power to pay only for the distance they travel — not a blanket fare.”
Currently available on the Google Play Store, the YendaRide app links with a user’s mobile money or bank account. After registering, passengers can generate a QR code for each trip. This code is scanned by the conductor using a POS machine, which automatically deducts the correct fare and grants access to the ride. Bus operators benefit too gaining visibility into payments and transactions through the POS system.
Despite strong potential, the platform has faced some resistance from local authorities and transport regulators who are still adjusting to digital innovation in this space. But Mulenga remains optimistic, noting that digital disruption often comes with initial skepticism.
He also applauds the #40Days40FinTechs initiative for amplifying FinTech voices:
“It’s helping Zambian innovators like us bring digital payments to the forefront and play our part in building an inclusive financial ecosystem.”
YendaRide was featured on Day 27 of the #40Days40FinTechs Zambia and Malawi edition, a platform that continues to spotlight transformative financial technology solutions across Africa. Over the last five years, the initiative has featured over 200 FinTechs and engaged millions through real stories of innovation from East to Southern Africa.
As digital finance continues to evolve, startups like YendaRide are proving that financial inclusion isn’t just about mobile wallets it’s also about building smarter systems that serve everyday people.
