Staff Writer
The conversation around taxis and e-hailing services is often framed as a competition between old and new.
Yet, the recent SanlamAllianz Brief Session that took place on Thursday revealed that the real challenge facing Namibia’s transport sector is not choosing one model over another, but creating a regulatory environment that allows innovation, safety and compliance to coexist.
Bringing together representatives from government, e-hailing platforms and drivers, the panel explored how Namibia can modernise its transport sector while ensuring fairness for all operators.
One of the strongest themes to emerge was the need for regulation to evolve alongside the industry it seeks to govern. While technology has transformed the way people move, existing legislation has struggled to keep pace.
The result is a growing disconnect between modern transport solutions and regulatory frameworks developed decades ago.
At the same time, regulation remains essential. It protects passengers, creates accountability and ensures that all operators compete on a level playing field.
As Damien Mabengano, deputy director at the ministry of works and transport, emphasised during the session, “These regulations are there to protect people.”
He explained that compliance measures, including customer service standards, driver assessments and identification requirements, are designed to strengthen trust and safety across the transport ecosystem.
The panel highlighted the need for modernised regulations, streamlined compliance processes and greater coordination between institutions.
Panellists pointed to lengthy permit approval processes, fragmented administrative systems and outdated procedures as barriers that continue to affect operators and drivers alike.
The call for greater digitalisation reflected a broader need to modernise not only the industry, but also the systems that support it.
The panel also highlighted the need for regulatory frameworks that evolve alongside technology. As Alex Mungai, country manager of Yango Namibia, observed, “Compliance is a process.”
He noted that Yango has invested close to N$1 million towards compliance initiatives and assisted approximately 2000 drivers in meeting regulatory requirements, while advocating for greater digitalisation and improved coordination between regulatory institutions.
The exchange of perspectives reflected a broader reality facing transport systems around the world: consumers are increasingly shaping how mobility services evolve through their expectations of convenience, safety and accessibility.
Technology has enabled passengers to access transport more easily, while introducing features such as driver ratings, route tracking and digital payment systems that are transforming the customer experience.
Representing drivers on the panel, Germanus Kondjeni observed that “the consumer decides what they want.” His comment captured a sentiment shared throughout the session: consumer demand continues to influence how transport services develop and adapt to changing needs.
Echoing this sentiment, Kalipi Josef Aluvilu, Co-founder of LEFA, argued that regulation should support changing transport models rather than constrain them.
As he observed, “Regulation often moves slower than innovation.” He noted that consumer expectations continue to evolve and that tools such as rating systems have introduced new levels of accountability within the transport sector.
Aluvilu also called for harmonised standards across e-hailing operators, arguing that consistency in compliance requirements can help create a fairer and more transparent operating environment for both drivers and passengers.
