Sky E-Ride launches app promising cheaper, shared electric rides from 1 December

Sky E-Ride, a new mobility app, has been launched with a pitch to cut commuting costs, share rides and bring electric vehicles into the country’s transport system. Bookings open on December 1, 2026.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Hastings Golosi of Sky Energy said the app was “not just an app” but a new way of moving people, connecting businesses and creating opportunities. He invited passengers, drivers, businesses, investors and technology partners to join the platform.

The app’s main features include ride-sharing. Passengers travelling in the same direction, such as from Lumbazi into town, can share a car with friends to reduce their fares. Riders can load money from a bank or mobile money account into an in-app wallet and pay without cash.

Businesses can register employees on a corporate dashboard, allow them to book rides under the company account, and approve requests before trips are confirmed. Passengers can also share their trip location with family, which Golosi said would help parents and guardians arranging transport for children or students.

On safety, the company said users verify their phone numbers and drivers go through registration. Before a trip starts, passengers confirm the driver and car using a code, and can follow the ride in real time or book in advance.

For electric vehicle owners, the company said it is building commercial charging points that users can access by scanning a code.

Golosi said daily commuters who spend 5,000 kwacha a day on one-way travel could pay less than half that using the shared option.

He said a one-way airport trip costing about 80,000 kwacha could be at least 50 per cent cheaper.

The company has not published its fare structure.