Russian ride-sharing service Yango is set to officially launch in Nepal on Tuesday, marking its entry into the increasingly competitive ride-hailing market in the Kathmandu Valley.
Yango, a Moscow-based technology company, is entering Nepal in partnership with nine local firms including E-Drive Nepal, Dosti Ride Seva, Upaya, Nepal Fleet, Plan on Perfection Pvt. Ltd., Deep Agro Tourism and Hospitality, Kim Adventure Pvt. Ltd., and Elever Marketing Pvt. Ltd.
“This ride-sharing service, which has already succeeded in more than 30 countries, will now be available in Kathmandu,” said Kamal Chhetri, a representative from partner company Kim Adventure. “Yango will provide the technology, while the Nepali companies will invest in and operate the service locally.”
With global players like Pathao and InDrive already operating in Nepal, competition in the ride-sharing sector is intense. Local operators like Tootle, Sahara, Swari, JumJum, Sajilo, and Taximandu are also offering services within the Kathmandu Valley. Some, like Pathao, have expanded into food delivery, while Swari has introduced parcel services.
A Yango representative said the company’s decision to enter Nepal came in response to the challenges faced by domestic operators in competing with international brands. “Local ride-sharing companies are collaborating to bring Yango’s service to Nepal in order to stay competitive,” the source told New Business Age .
Yango's platform offers a multi-purpose service that goes beyond ride-sharing, including long-term rentals, courier services, AI tools, and entertainment features. Chhetri said the service will include rider insurance, office support, and prompt issue resolution.
Unlike Pathao and InDrive, Yango will charge a lower commission—just 3 percent per ride. To attract drivers during the launch phase, the company is offering bonuses: Rs 100 per trip for taxi drivers and Rs 35–40 for bike riders.
“There is no bargaining system. Like Pathao, it has a fixed-rate model,” Chhetri said. “In some countries, Yango has outperformed InDrive. I believe it can become number one in Nepal too.”
Yango, founded in 2011, is a seed-funded company with reported investment of $198,000. It previously sold its operations in Israel to a local investor and is planning to expand into other South Asian markets, including Pakistan.
