Pakistan: inDrive a leading ride-hailing company for the past 3 years in Pakistan, driving innovation and social impact through its transformative initiatives. Founded on principles of sustainability and community empowerment, inDrive is committed to fostering gender equality, tackling climate change, and advancing education through its diverse programs under the inVision umbrella. From promoting electric transport to empowering youth and supporting women entrepreneurs, InDrive’s efforts exemplify its dedication to creating a brighter, more inclusive future for Pakistan.
Elena Vishniakova- Senior climate specialist at inDrive, leading EV projects globally
1. THEAZB: First, I love to see a woman taking the lead on such big projects. We are impressed to see Women’s empowering opportunities inDrive provided for their leadership roles. However, we would like to know more about how your background shapes your perspective on this climate and air pollution issue.
Answer: Having lived in Kazakhstan and witnessed firsthand the disparities in opportunities for women and the high pollution level in Almaty, I am deeply committed to both promoting gender equality and fighting climate change. Our company prioritizes empowering female through leadership opportunities of inVision social projects and recognizing their crucial role in driving our success and contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth. Moreover, addressing climate change and promoting gender equality are not far from each other but are not separable. Working on these challenges simultaneously can help reduce the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and enhance overall community resilience. My background in environmental engineering provides a solid basis for my current work, in which I always want to find purpose, meaning, and a positive impact on the planet and society, including disproportionate impacts from climate change on women and girls.
2. THEAZB: acknowledges being part of the transport problem in Pakistan by primarily relying on bikes for trips. How do you justify this approach?
Answer: Our reliance on bikes stems from the need to provide fast and efficient service to our customers while contributing to the local economy by employing drivers from our communities. However, we recognize the environmental and logistical challenges associated with this mode of transport, and having many ideas in mind, we are actively exploring sustainable alternatives. We work collaboratively with fintech, banks, and our internal financial product inDrive. Money to facilitate drivers in the transition to EV. Additionally, even an e-bike is still a new means of transportation, which only exacerbates traffic while the old bikes are still there, contributing to air pollution. Understanding the traffic problems, we are considering converting fuel bikes into electric ones rather than obtaining new ones.
3. THEAZB: What prompted your decision to pilot a new platform for discussing transport issues, and how does it differ from traditional approaches?
Answer: Unlike many companies, we believe in leading with action rather than rhetoric. Our new discussion platform encourages open dialogue among stakeholders (EV manufacturers, representatives of the charging infrastructure, banks and fintech solution providers, well-established NGOs, and top universities), leveraging our resources and industry expertise to collaboratively address climate change challenges and prospects for developing the electric transport industry in Pakistan. This approach is inspired by successful models like the Almaty Air Initiative, which we started this year in Kazakhstan to fight for the human right to live in a healthy environment. It emphasizes cooperation over competition to drive meaningful change.
4. THEAZB: Given the current state of coordination and opportunities for improvement in the transport sector, how do you envision overcoming these challenges?
Answer: The lack of coordination presents significant hurdles in building an environment for EV industry development, but we are committed to working with stakeholders, including government bodies and local communities, to learn from each other and streamline efforts in research, projects, pilots, and initiatives. Together, we can identify and implement solutions that complement each other, promote mutual development, and enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the eclectic transport industry in Pakistan while reducing environmental impact.
5. THEAZB: How important is it for your company to engage in discussions that impact the lives of Pakistanis, and what role do you see yourselves playing in shaping the country’s future?
Answer: Pakistan represents inDrive’s key market, and inDrive, in turn, is an integral part of the local community. Our company is deeply embedded in Pakistanis’ daily lives, from commuters to local businesses. At the same time, we understand that non-sustainable modes of transport affect the country’s air quality and aggravate climate change. Pakistan is in the top 8 countries sensitive to climate change, and the cities of Pakistan annually break records in the lists of the most polluted cities in the world. Thus, becoming clear that the transition to more sustainable transport is necessary for Pakistan. That is why engaging in discussions and environmental education about transport issues and their environmental challenge is significant — it’s essential for fostering sustainable development and improving quality of life. We aim to lead by example, collaborating with stakeholders and leveraging our resources to build an efficient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible transport system.
Transiting question for both guests: The inDrive is taking a lot of initiatives; tell us more about the first meeting in Lahore and inVision programs to serve the local communities.
Kanat Nogoibayev – inVision – PR lead for inVision projects
1. THEAZB: What are the inVision Projects at inDrive, we’ve seen a couple of projects in Pakistan, do you like to elaborate?
Answer: inVision at inDrive focuses on tackling inequalities across various sectors including education, creative industries, startups, and sports. Central to its mission is challenging injustice and fostering positive change. Through inVision, the non-profit arm of inDrive, the organization empowers communities through initiatives that advance education, sports, arts and sciences, gender equality, and other critical areas. This commitment is aimed at impacting the lives of one billion people positively by 2030, achieved through fair pricing models and community empowerment programs.
2. THEAZB: Could you tell us more about the YourPace project and its recent implementation in Pakistan?
Answer: The YourPace project in Pakistan was a significant milestone for us, focusing on promoting health and inclusivity among children from vulnerable communities. We organized a special running program and race in Islamabad, involving 418 children from four schools. It’s heartening to note that a majority of participants were girls (235 girls and 183 boys), many of whom experienced Islamabad for the first time despite living nearby. The event not only provided training and organized races but also equipped each participant with branded sports gear, emphasizing our commitment to empowering young girls through sports and community engagement.
3. THEAZB: How did the local community respond to the YourPace initiative, particularly regarding organization and volunteer support?
Answer: We were deeply impressed by the overwhelming support and organization from the local community in Islamabad. Volunteers, teachers, and school principals showed remarkable dedication, underscoring their commitment to nurturing the next generation of Pakistanis. Their enthusiasm and involvement highlighted a shared vision of creating better opportunities for youth through initiatives like YourPace, fostering community pride and empowerment.
4. THEAZB: Tell us about the Aurora Tech Award and the Underdog Tech Award. How are these awards promoting IT entrepreneurship globally, and what role do they play in fostering innovation?
Answer: The Aurora Tech Award and the Underdog Tech Award are international platforms aimed at recognizing and promoting IT entrepreneurship. These awards celebrate innovators who are driving positive change through technology, encouraging creativity and problem-solving in the IT sector. We are honored to have had distinguished jury members like Sadaffe Abid, a renowned social entrepreneur from Karachi, Pakistan, who brings valuable insights and expertise to the selection process. We look forward to receiving more applications from the region and showcasing the innovative spirit of Pakistani entrepreneurs on a global stage.
5. THEAZB: Could you elaborate on the Beginit socio-educational project and its goals for high school students in Pakistan?
Answer: The Beginit project is our educational initiative aimed at nurturing leadership and civic responsibility among high school students in Pakistan. Building on the success of our pilot in Kazakhstan, Beginit will empower students to create and promote projects that have a positive impact on their communities and beyond. We recognize education as a fundamental value for our users, including the children of our drivers, and aim to cultivate future leaders who are passionate about driving societal change through innovation and collaboration.
6. THEAZB: What impact did Begin IT have after its launch in 2022, and what are your expectations for expanding such initiatives in Pakistan?
Answer: Beginit, launched in 2022, exceeded our expectations as a successful project that garnered attention, even attracting the Federal IT Minister to our event. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering IT skills and entrepreneurship among youth, paving the way for future digital leaders. As we expand into Pakistan with initiatives like Beginit, our company observes and researches the communities and now we alter our previous Beginit project to Begin IT with a much bigger purpose for our users as well; where we aim to build on the momentum we previously created in other countries, with the aim to empower young Pakistanis to harness technology for social and economic progress.
7. THEAZB: What other invision projects inDrive has been planning to launch in Pakistan, in the near future?
Answer: In Pakistan, inDrive is actively planning and launching several impactful initiatives under the umbrella of inVision. One significant project includes workshops tailored for women entrepreneurs, integrated within the framework of the Aurora Tech Award. These workshops aim to empower and equip women with the skills and support necessary to excel in entrepreneurship. Additionally, inDrive is set to introduce the Alternativa Film Award in the region. This award seeks to recognize and celebrate young Pakistani filmmakers creating social impact films. The culmination of this initiative will be a ceremony and festival held in Indonesia later this year, providing a platform for these filmmakers to showcase their work on an international stage. These efforts underscore inDrive’s commitment to fostering positive change through targeted initiatives that empower local communities and promote creativity and innovation.
