GoCab deploys 100 electric vehicles for Yango drivers in Abidjan

GoCab has rolled out 100 electric vehicles for drivers on Yango’s platform in Abidjan, bringing the company halfway through its planned 200 vehicle deployment in Côte d’Ivoire. The rollout comes months after GoCab raised $45 million to expand its operations. The vehicles will operate under GOYA, Yango’s premium ride hailing service. The company says the deployment gives it one of the largest electric ride hailing fleets of passenger vehicles in Africa, a market where electric mobility has so far been led by motorcycles.

Cutting the cost of running a vehicle

Fuel remains one of the biggest expenses for ride hailing drivers, and GoCab says electric vehicles can significantly reduce those costs. According to the company, fully charging one of its vehicles costs about 8,000 FCFA ($14) and provides a driving range of up to 470 kilometres. A petrol or diesel vehicle travelling the same distance typically uses between 20,000 and 40,000 FCFA ($35 to $70) worth of fuel. Drivers receive the vehicles through GoCab’s drive-to-own programme. They make repayments over three years using income earned from the platform before taking ownership of the vehicle. More than 300 drivers are already in the programme, with the first group expected to become vehicle owners in 2027.

Côte d’Ivoire takes a bigger role

The rollout comes as Yango increases its investment across Africa. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to invest at least $150 million while expanding into 10 additional markets. Much of that expansion is focused on West and Central Africa, where Yango has been adding services in cities outside the continent’s largest economies. Côte d’Ivoire has become one of its busiest markets. Yango launched its automotive business, Yango Motors, in Abidjan during the 2025 Auto Show and has continued to add transport services in the country.

Electric cars remain a smaller market

Electric motorcycles still dominate Africa’s EV sector. Companies such as Ampersand and Spiro have built large fleets by focusing on commercial riders and battery-swapping networks. Passenger vehicles have expanded more slowly. They cost more to buy, and operators need enough demand to recover that investment. GoCab is among a small number of companies trying to change that. With another 100 vehicles still to be deployed, Abidjan is becoming one of the largest testing grounds for electric ride-hailing cars on the continent.