The Togolese Ministry of Road, Air, and Rail Transport has announced the suspension of the ride-hailing platform Yango due to security issues and non-compliance with local regulations.
This nationwide suspension raised concerns about user safety and the legality of Yango’s operations, which the ministry claims are illegal in the country.
The ministry expressed worries regarding the risks associated with Yango’s activities, particularly highlighting inadequate safety controls that endanger users.
Yango had been operating in Togo since June 2024, making the suspension particularly striking just four months into its operations.
In response to the suspension, Yango stated that it operates independently from its parent company, Yandex, and is currently in discussions with Togolese authorities to address the issues and resume its services.
Yango has encountered similar regulatory challenges in other African nations.
In Cameroon, the platform faced a suspension in 2023 due to allegations of unfair competition and non-compliance with regulations.
Additionally, Yango was banned in Casablanca, Morocco, shortly after its launch in April 2023 for operating without proper authorization and using unlicensed drivers.
Aside from ride-hailing services, Yango also offers food delivery through Yango Deli and logistics services with Yango Delivery.
Recently, it introduced a Cargo Express feature for transporting larger items across several cities in Africa.
As Yango navigates this suspension and regulatory landscape, it faces increased competition from rival platforms, particularly InDrive, which has recently entered the Zambian market by waiving commission fees.
Existing services like Bolt also continue to challenge Yango’s market presence.
