inDrive Launches in Riyadh on National Day: Andries Smit Highlights Vision for Growth, Innovation, and Inclusion in Saudi Arabia
In a symbolic step that underscores its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, inDrive — the world’s second-most downloaded ride-hailing app, operating in 48 countries — officially launched its services in Riyadh on September 23, coinciding with the Kingdom’s National Day.
For inDrive, the choice of this date was more than ceremonial. It reflected both respect for Saudi culture and an ambition to play a meaningful role in the country’s social and economic transformation.
“National Day is a moment of unity and pride for the Kingdom. For us, it was the perfect occasion to demonstrate our respect for Saudi culture and to highlight our mission: bringing fair, transparent pricing for passengers and drivers,” said Andries Smit, Chief Growth Businesses Officer at inDrive, in an interview with Riyadh Daily. “Saudi Arabia is not just a key market; it is central to our global growth journey.”
Fairness and Transparency at the Core
What sets inDrive apart from competitors is its unique peer-to-peer pricing model. Instead of fixed fares dictated by algorithms, passengers propose a price for their trip, and drivers have the freedom to accept, decline, or counter with a different offer. The passenger then chooses from several bids, taking into account not only price but also proximity and vehicle type.
“This model brings fairness and transparency into every transaction,” Smit explained. “Passengers have more control over costs, while drivers retain more of their earnings. It creates a balance that many traditional ride-hailing models fail to deliver, and we believe this is one of the main reasons users in Saudi Arabia are already showing strong interest.”
Currently, inDrive’s global take rate averages around 10 percent — much lower than the 25–35 percent commission rates often charged by competitors — ensuring drivers keep the majority of their income.
Building Beyond Ride-Hailing
While ride-hailing remains at the heart of inDrive’s business, Smit revealed that the company’s vision for Saudi Arabia extends far beyond transportation.
“Ride-hailing is always our foundation, but once we reach scale and frequent usage, we introduce additional services that solve real, everyday problems,” he said. “Delivery is usually the next step — customers frequently use ride-hailing in other markets to send items, so we adapt to that need directly. After that, financial services are a natural extension, especially in supporting drivers who may need loans for car repairs or additional income solutions. In Mexico, for example, financial services were one of the first offerings we introduced after ride-hailing, and we see strong potential for similar solutions in the Kingdom.”
Financial Inclusion Through Fintech
Asked how inDrive Money and fintech services could benefit Saudi Arabia, Smit pointed to the company’s track record in other emerging markets.
“In many countries, drivers do not have credit histories or access to traditional banking. By analyzing their work patterns, income, and reliability on our platform, we can build financial profiles that allow them access to credit and banking services that were previously unavailable,” he said. “At the right stage of growth in Saudi Arabia, we believe this model can contribute meaningfully to financial inclusion, complementing the Kingdom’s ambitious digital payments strategy.”
Andries Smit, Chief Growth Businesses Officer at inDrive
Collaboration with Saudi Startups
Smit was also struck by the strength of Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem during Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh.
“I was blown away by the scale and quality of the startups here,” he said. “In many other markets, local startup ecosystems are far smaller. Saudi Arabia is clearly building a vibrant innovation landscape under Vision 2030, and that creates huge opportunities for us to partner, integrate, and grow together with local entrepreneurs.”
Empowering Drivers and Communities
Though inDrive is just beginning its Saudi journey, Smit pointed to the company’s global impact in job creation and driver empowerment.
“In every market we enter, becoming an inDrive driver represents a new income opportunity for thousands of people,” he said. “In some countries, we partner with fleet providers to help drivers who don’t own a car gain access to vehicles. For those who can’t afford a car at all, delivery services provide an entry point with just a motorcycle or even a bicycle. These models allow us to lower barriers, create more opportunities, and help people gradually move up the income ladder.”
For passengers, competitive pricing means lower daily transport costs, freeing up disposable income that is reinvested in the local economy — another way inDrive indirectly supports economic growth.
Future Expansion Plans in the Kingdom
With operations already live in Jeddah and now Riyadh, inDrive is preparing for wider expansion across the Kingdom.
“Saudi Arabia is one of our top priorities in the region,” Smit affirmed. “We are already the leading ride-hailing company in Egypt and Morocco, and we see similar potential here. The testing phase in Saudi Arabia exceeded our expectations, which gives us confidence to continue investing aggressively. Watch this space — in the coming year, you’ll see us expand into more cities and explore new services tailored for the Saudi market.”
A Platform with Purpose
As Saudi Arabia accelerates its digital transformation under Vision 2030, companies like inDrive see the Kingdom as a fertile ground for innovation. With its unique model, commitment to fairness, and ambition to expand into delivery, financial services, and more, inDrive is positioning itself not just as another ride-hailing app, but as an enabler of inclusion, opportunity, and innovation across the country.
“We’re very excited to be here,” Smit concluded. “Saudi Arabia has the ambition, the talent, and the vision. We want to be part of that journey and contribute to shaping the future of mobility and digital services in the Kingdom.”
