Connect with us

E-Business

GoMyWay.com Unleashes Carpooling, Traffic Solution in Lagos

Published

on

(L-r) Damilola Teidi, co-founder/managing director and Petra Muolokwu, head of Communications, both from GoMyWay.com, during a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday
Kindly share this post

GoMyWay, a ride-sharing marketplace connecting passengers with ride owners going along the same route, said it has secured over $100,000 funding from investors to develop carpooling infrastructure aimed at abating the tide of increasing traffic gridlock in Lagos State and beyond.

Speaking to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek in Lagos, 24-year old Damilola Teidi, co-founder/managing director of GoMyWay.com, said that the platform offers passengers the cheapest and more convenient way to travel on long-distance trips across the country or simply to commute within the city.

She said that, with co-founders/investors like Sim Shagaya, a serial entrepreneur and Bill, formerly of the Amazon and Co-Creation Hub providing technical support, GoMyWay’s sustainability is assured.

According to Wikipedia (research), in 2009, carpooling represented 43.5% of all trips in the United States and 10% of commute trips.

Teidi told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, “As a ride owner, your co-travelers pay you an agreed contribution that will help cover some of your travel expenses such as fuel costs. Asides significantly reducing your travel costs, whether as a passenger or ride owner, you get to make new friends, meet potential business partners and conveniently arrive at your destination. In addition, you get to contribute to protecting the environment”.

Safety
On safety, she said the GoMyWay community is safe as they have in place different verification levels for all members and a dedicated support team to monitor activities on the platform.
“At GoMyWay, we believe travelling should be cheap, fun and safe (a hat-trick really) and we have built this platform to ensure it is. This is NOT another taxi service. It is simply regular people using their resources in a smarter way,” she explained.

Find A Ride
She urged potential passengers to enter their route information and click the “Find” button via the website. “A list of available rides will be displayed. Click on any of the rides to view more details, book the ride or ask the ride owner questions”.

Book A Seat
“Click the “contact car owner” button on the ride’s page, add a private message to the ride owner and hit send. You can also call the ride owner.  The ride owner will be notified of your request and you will be notified If/when your request is accepted”.
She further charged the users to be at the agreed departure point on time and pay the ride owner the amount stated as contribution for the ride.
According to her, the platform since launch in June 2015 has recorded patronage of over 1,500 subscribers and others who have engaged on inter-state travels.
Speaking on the expected challenges, Teidi said that Nigerians are usually sceptical about platform like GoMyWay, adding that carpooling has been found to struggle in some areas due to its inability to accommodate en route stops or changes to working times/patterns.
She said, “In some jurisdictions, to counter this some schemes offer ‘sweeper services’ with later running options, or a ‘guaranteed ride home’ arrangement with a local taxi company”.
She hinted that if a carpooling network lacks a certain mass of participants, it may be difficult to find a match for certain trips.
“And Nigerians are usually skeptical about riding with strangers, raising concerns over security of sharing a vehicle with strangers, though in reality the risk of crime is small. So, we are not relenting on advocacy, but this is a sure way to tackle Lagos traffic and beyond. That is why we are using internet carpooling schemes like reputation systems that flag problematic users and allow responsible users to build up trust capital, such systems greatly increase the value of the website for the user community. We allow potential riders to upload their driving licenses on the site as part of prove they are genuine and not on the wrong side of the law. We also have a system that enables people to verify about the riders before embarking on the travel. We believe this platform will thrive,” Teidi said.
On his part, Tunji Eleso, a director at Cc-Hub, said that GoMyWay is a prove that solutions to social challenges in Nigeria and Africa as a Continent lies with the private sector.
He noted that it was high time African Continent tackled the multifaceted transportation infrastructural dilemmas using IT, adding that CC-Hub’s interest in GoMyWay was to draw publics’ attention the ingenuity of locally developed software applications and the relevance in tackling global challenges. 

 


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

E-Business

Firm Shares Tips for Safer Remote Working

Published

on

Kindly share this post

It is holiday season in many parts of the world. These days though, going on holiday does not always mean turning your back on office life – hybrid work cuts both ways.

Today’s widespread connectivity—available at airports, train stations, restaurants, hotels, and most indoor public spaces—makes staying connected easier than ever, with free Wi-Fi in many locations and reliable 4G or 5G coverage elsewhere, helping to facilitate a seamless blend of work and leisure even while on holiday.

This increase in connectivity among travellers has not gone unnoticed by cyber criminals. Kaspersky experts analysed nearly 25,000 free Wi-Fi spots in Paris ahead of the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The analysis revealed that almost 25% of these networks had weak or no encryption, making users vulnerable to personal and banking data theft.

Travellers often have their guard down. The unfamiliar surroundings of a new location or a different language can throw up a useful smokescreen for a cyberattack, meaning additional care needs to be taken when logging on. Fortunately, a few smart tools and habits can help you stay protected while enjoying the flexibility of remote work.

Use a VPN for secure connections

A VPN is one of the most effective ways to safeguard users’ online activity, especially when working from unfamiliar locations. By encrypting Internet traffic, a VPN ensures that hackers can’t intercept sensitive data like login credentials or financial details. This is particularly important when accessing work emails or company files on public Wi-Fi, where cybercriminals often lurk.

Switch to an eSIM for reliable, secure mobile data

Another useful digital tool that provides a seamless way to stay connected using local mobile networks with no physical SIM card required is the eSIM. This is a game-changer for international travellers who want to avoid sky-high roaming charges or the hassle of hunting down temporary SIM cards in foreign countries.

With an eSIM, a user can download a local data plan before you even arrive at your destination, ensuring instant connectivity the moment you land. This eliminates the need to rely on unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots, significantly reducing your exposure to cyber threats.

Plus, many eSIM providers allow you to manage multiple profiles on a single device, making it easy to switch between work and personal data plans without juggling multiple phones.

Services like Kaspersky eSIM Store enables users to purchase and activate data plans in advance, track usage and top up as needed, all from a single app.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

When travelling, people often leave devices unattended. To protect against unwanted people logging in, travellers should ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled on all critical accounts and that passwords are used on all devices.

Final tips for a secure workation

Even with a VPN, eSIM and 2FA in place, your devices still need strong defenses against malware, phishing scams and ransomware. Cybercriminals often target remote workers who may let their guard down while travelling, making real-time protection essential.

Modern antivirus software does more than just scan for viruses, it actively blocks malicious downloads, warns you about phishing attempts and even secures your passwords and financial data.

For the most robust security, consider a solution like Kaspersky Premium, which combines antivirus protection, a VPN and password management into a single, easy-to-use package.

By combining a VPN, eSIM and strong antivirus, you can work from anywhere with confidence, whether you’re sending emails from a poolside or joining a video call from a festival tent.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

Zequence Digital Boss Calls for Strong IP Laws Enforcement, to Protect Nigeria’s Software Sector

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Mr Adeoye Oludamilola, managing director, Zequence Digital, a digital agency,  has said strong enforcement of Intellectual Property (IP) laws , protection of Nigeria’s software industry against piracy will encourage innovation and investment.

Zequence Digital Boss Calls for Strong IP Laws Enforcement, to Protect Nigeria’s Software Sector

Adeoye told reporters lately in Lagos that software piracy and the unauthorised use of proprietary technology are widespread in the country.

According to report Intellectual Property (IP) laws in software refers to the legal rights that protect the creations of the mind used in software development.

These rights, which include copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and trademarks, grant developers exclusive control over their software and related assets, preventing unauthorised use or reproduction.

Adeoye said that many startups do not protect their innovations, due to a lack of knowledge and the cumbersome legal processes involved.

“IP registration and litigation are expensive and time-consuming, which further discourages developers from protecting their work,” Adeoye said.

He added that the lack of awareness among developers about their IP rights contributed to the problem.

To address these challenges, Adeoye stressed the need for the formation of an IP Protection Consortium, comprising tech firms, legal experts, and regulators, to advocate for stronger IP enforcement.

He also suggested collaborating with legal tech startups to create simplified platforms for fast-tracked IP registration.

The managing director further called for joint initiatives between legal bodies and tech communities to launch IP rights education campaigns.

This, he said, would equip developers with the knowledge they needed to protect their innovations and grow their businesses.

Adeoye emphasised the need for the government and stakeholders to create an ecosystem for development and inclusivity by proactively engaging with regulators.

According to him, this will help ensure that policies are created with the input of concerned agencies and industry experts.

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

PalmPay Partners AXA Mansard Health to Make Digital Insurance Accessible, Affordable

Published

on

L-r: Oluwatoyin Alao, Head, Emerging Customers & Project Management, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc; Tope Adeniyi, CEO AXA Mansard Health Limited; Habib Kowontan, Head of Wealth Product, PalmPay; Jumoke Odunlami, Chief Distribution Officer, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc; Olorunfemi Hanson, Head of Marketing & Communications, PalmPay.
Kindly share this post

PalmPay, a leading fintech platform and full-stack digital neobank for emerging markets, has partnered with Nigeria’s biggest Health Insurance Company, AXA Mansard Health a member of the globally trusted AXA Group, to provide millions of Nigerians with affordable, accessible digital health insurance.

This strategic partnership enables PalmPay users to seamlessly access a range of health insurance packages from AXA Mansard directly within the PalmPay app. With plans starting as low as N500 per month, users can now choose from flexible insurance options tailored to fit their everyday needs.

The plans are designed to meet a wide range of needs; for example, the AXA Digital Health plan offers access to telemedicine consultations with doctors, N5,000 worth of medications, and up to N40,000 in surgical coverage. Users can also opt for the AXA Mansard MicroHealth plan at N1,000 per month, which provides unlimited diagnostic tests and funeral benefits. Additionally, the AXA Mansard Accident plan, available for N500 monthly, offers comprehensive death cover for both accidental and non-accidental cases.

Speaking on the partnership, Habib Kowontan, Head of Wealth Product at PalmPay, said: “Insurance is a key pillar of financial security, yet millions of Nigerians remain underserved. Our partnership with AXA Mansard Health breaks down long-standing barriers by placing reliable and affordable insurance solutions right at our users’ fingertips.”

In her remarks, Jumoke Odunlami, Chief Distribution Officer, AXA Mansard Insurance said that the partnership with Palmpay presents the AXA with another opportunity to improve health and productivity of Nigerians. “Through partnerships like this, we are covering over 1.8 million Nigerians and ensuring that healthcare is accessible, available and affordable.

“So we are excited about joining forces with a brand like Palmpay to compliment the range of financial possibilities they offer their customers with health plans. It fits well with our mission and our purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters, and we are looking forward to doing even more with Palmpay”, she explained.

This partnership reflects PalmPay’s broader mission to create a more inclusive digital financial ecosystem, one that empowers users to not only manage their money efficiently, but also secure their future.

This partnership reflects PalmPay’s broader mission to create a more inclusive digital financial ecosystem, one that empowers users to not only manage their money efficiently, but also secure their future.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending