Armed with the power of cutting-edge technology and a refreshed operating model that promises fairness and safety for both passengers and drivers, greenhorn Twytch is looking to establish itself as a competitive player in the e-hailing market, which large multinationals like Uber have dominated.
Having partnered with companies including Secure Citizen, FNB, and Momentum, Twytch is eyeing growth opportunities and further partnerships with the private and public sectors to offer tailored mobility solutions.
Business Day spoke to founder and CEO Don Reddy, who said his team was on a mission to revolutionise transportation and deliver real value to drivers and passengers alike.
What prompted you to enter the e-hailing space?
I was motivated by a combination of personal experience, market gaps, and a desire to create a more balanced, driver-focused and passenger-centric platform. Over the past two-and-a-half years, I immersed myself in the ride-hailing space — not just as a tech entrepreneur but as a curious commuter and an active listener. I spent countless hours riding with various drivers across different cities and engaging with passengers to understand their frustrations, needs and ideas for a better experience.
While I don’t have a traditional professional background in the ride-hailing industry, I bring something equally valuable — years of research and deep market insights.
One key motivator was the desire to bring spatial justice to transportation. Many areas remain underserved by traditional transport services, leaving commuters stranded or paying exorbitant fees. Twytch is about connecting all areas seamlessly and affordably while ensuring everyone has equal access to safe and reliable transportation options.
Another big factor was innovation and safety.
How different will a Twytch ride be compared to what is on the market?
A Twytch ride will be a game changer for passengers and drivers because we’ve taken the time to understand their pain points and build a platform that truly delivers what people want and need. Twytch is proud to be the first platform in Africa and the world to use verifiable credentials for passengers and drivers. This cutting-edge technology ensures everyone on our platform — whether riding or driving — has their identity and key information securely verified and stored cryptographically on a decentralised blockchain, making it tamper-proof and highly secure.
Twytch offers passengers a safer, more personalised ride experience with transparent pricing. And let’s not forget our cheddar game: our fares are competitive so you get better value for your money.
For drivers, Twytch is a breath of fresh air. We offer fixed rates per kilometre and fixed rates per minute with no commissions. Our drivers keep what they earn in full so they can earn more. We’re also big on supporting our drivers with access to financial and wellness services through partnerships with companies such as Momentum and FNB. In other words, our milkshake is better than theirs.
What are the biggest challenges that Twytch aims to solve? Twytch is here to tackle several pressing challenges in the ride-hailing space. It will focus on innovation, fairness and safety for passengers and drivers.
First, spatial justice is at the heart of our mission. We want to bridge the mobility gap by ensuring that transportation is accessible and affordable in previously neglected areas. Everyone deserves access to safe and reliable rides, regardless of location.
Second, driver empowerment is a major focus. Many drivers on traditional platforms feel exploited due to high commission rates, a lack of benefits and unfair policies. Twytch offers a more driver friendly business model with competitive rates and transparent earnings, ensuring drivers keep more earnings. We even provide value-added services through partnerships that help drivers thrive professionally and personally.
Safety is another challenge we aim to solve. We are the first platform globally to integrate verifiable credentials. This technology adds an extra layer of trust and security, creating a safer environment for everyone on our platform.
Our goal is to redefine what ride-hailing can be — safer, smarter and more inclusive.
Who are Twytch’s financial backers?
While I cannot disclose too much detail due to non-disclosure agreements, I can say Twytch has secured the confidence of key partners and is built on strong strategic collaborations. We’ve partnered with Secure Citizen, FNB, and Momentum, organisations that share our vision of transforming the ride-hailing landscape with a focus on security, financial wellness and innovation.
And that's just the beginning, with more exciting strategic partnerships in the pipeline we’re building something extraordinary with the support of like-minded partners who believe in our mission to revolutionise transportation and deliver real value.
Will there be a call centre with operators to assist consumers, or will you also be deploying AI customer service?
We will adopt a hybrid approach. While AI-powered customer service will help provide instant assistance for routine queries, we firmly believe in the value of the human touch. Our users deserve empathetic, personalised support when it’s needed most. As such, we will have a dedicated team of customer service agents in SA to ensure that our riders and drivers receive the best possible support experience.
Where are the biggest prospects for growth in the short to medium term?
Our immediate focus is establishing a strong presence in SA by building a trusted and reliable platform for drivers and passengers. We aim to address market pain points and set a new standard in the ride-hailing industry. In the medium term, we are targeting expansion across key urban centres and exploring untapped areas with limited transport options, contributing to better mobility and spatial justice. Additionally, we see growth opportunities in partnering with the private and public sectors to offer tailored mobility solutions. With technology as our backbone, we continuously innovate to ensure Twytch remains a leader in safety, efficiency and user experience.
What is your outlook for the e-hailing sector in SA?
SA is poised for significant growth in the coming years. In 2023, the market was valued at about R6bn with projections indicating it could reach more than R8bn by 2029, serving an estimated 14.5-million users.
The e-hailing sector is on an upward trajectory, driven by urbanisation, technological advancements, competition, safety innovations and supportive regulatory frameworks. Collectively, these elements create a promising environment for service providers and consumers alike, offering a future where transportation becomes safer, smarter and more accessible for all. Twytch, a proudly SA platform, looks forward to leading the way in redefining mobility across the country and the African continent.
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