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InDrive Launches Bold Super-App Strategy, Transforming Ride-Hailing Into a Comprehensive Service Ecosystem

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
September 9, 2025

Expanding Beyond Ride-Hailing

InDrive, recognized for its innovative bidding-based ride-hailing model and impressive global footprint—with over 360 million downloads and 6.5 billion transactions recorded to date—is set to redefine its role in frontier markets. The company is shifting its focus from solely facilitating rides to delivering a broad range of daily essentials, beginning with grocery deliveries in Kazakhstan and extending into multiple verticals across Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Pakistan, Peru, and Mexico over the coming year.

Kazakhstan: The Launchpad for Transformation

Choosing Kazakhstan as its inaugural market for the super-app rollout was a strategic decision. The largest economy in Central Asia has witnessed a significant digital shift, and InDrive has capitalized on this momentum. Operating from its hub in Kazakhstan where it maintains its largest workforce, InDrive’s grocery delivery service now offers over 5,000 products with a promise of delivery within 15 minutes. Early pilots indicate an impressive net promoter score of 83% along with robust user engagement—averaging five grocery orders per user per month.

Innovating With a Dark Store Model

InDrive’s approach in Kazakhstan leverages a dark store model optimized for ready-to-eat meals and a selection of fresh items. This model, which has seen a 30% increase in dark store capacity since August, is designed to enhance customer retention by maintaining affordability and efficiency. In parallel, the company is open to local partnerships in regions with dense networks of neighborhood stores to refine its service delivery further.

A Differentiated Super-App Vision

While the super-app concept has seen mixed success globally—from WeChat’s triumphs to Meta’s challenges—InDrive is betting on an integrated platform that not only personalizes user experiences through AI but also broadens accessibility to include users with disabilities and lower literacy. By tapping into this model, the company aims to secure a loyal customer base that values cost-effective solutions, positioning itself as the Aldi of online groceries amid growing consumer expectations.

Navigating Challenges in Complex Markets

Despite InDrive’s successes in frontier markets, challenges remain, particularly in India. Here, the company contends with fierce competition from Uber, Ola, and Rapido, as well as historical safety concerns and model exploitation. InDrive’s leadership acknowledges these hurdles, emphasizing a renewed focus on educating both drivers and passengers to address safety perceptions and operational nuances.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Service Offerings

The super-app strategy does not end with grocery deliveries. InDrive envisions a multifaceted service portfolio that could soon include financial solutions such as micro-loans for drivers—a feature already rolling out in Brazil and Mexico—as well as micro-mobility services and other tailored local offerings. These initiatives are supported by a significant venture arm, with up to $100 million earmarked for strategic investments, underlining InDrive’s commitment to nurturing its ecosystem while addressing localized consumer needs.

InDrive’s ambitious transformation from a ride-hailing provider to a comprehensive digital service platform demonstrates its proactive approach to capturing emerging market opportunities. Whether through innovative logistics models or strategic regional investments, InDrive is poised to further disrupt traditional market boundaries and set new benchmarks in customer loyalty and operational efficiency.

Strained Household Finances: Eurostat Data Reveals Persistent Payment Delays Across Europe and in Cyprus

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
November 22, 2025

Improved Financial Resilience Amid Ongoing Strains

Over the past decade, Cypriot households have significantly increased their ability to manage debts—not only bank loans but also rent and utility bills. However, recent Eurostat data indicates that Cyprus continues to lag behind the European average when it comes to covering financial obligations on time.

Household Coping Strategies and the Limits of Payment Flexibility

While many families are managing their fixed expenses with relative ease, one in three Cypriots struggles to cover unexpected costs. This delicate balancing act highlights how routine payments such as mortgage installments, rent, and utility bills are met, but precariously so, with little room for unplanned financial shocks.

Breaking Down Payment Delays Across the European Union

Eurostat reports that nearly 9.2% of the EU population experienced delays with their housing loans, rent, utility bills, or installment payments in 2024. The situation is more acute among vulnerable groups: 17.2% of individuals in single-parent households with dependent children and 16.6% in households with two adults managing three or more dependents faced payment delays. In every EU nation, single-parent households exhibited higher delay rates compared to the overall population.

Cyprus in the Crosshairs: High Rates of Financial Delays

Although Cyprus recorded a notable 19.1 percentage point improvement from 2015 to 2024 in delays related to mortgages, rent, and utility bills, the island nation still ranks among the top five countries with the highest delay rates. As of 2024, 12.5% of the Cypriot population had outstanding housing loans or rent and overdue utility bills. In contrast, Greece tops the list with 42.8%, followed by Bulgaria (18.7%), Romania (15.3%), Spain (14.2%), and other EU members. Notably, 19 out of 27 EU countries reported delay rates below 10%, with Czech Republic (3.4%) and Netherlands (3.9%) leading the pack.

Selective Improvements and Emerging Concerns

Between 2015 and 2024, the overall EU population saw a 2.6 percentage point decline in payment delays. Despite this, certain countries experienced increases: Luxembourg (+3.3 percentage points), Spain (+2.5 percentage points), and Germany (+2.0 percentage points) saw a rise in payment delays, reflecting underlying economic pressures that continue to challenge financial stability.

Economic Insecurity and the Unprepared for Emergencies

Another critical indicator explored by Eurostat is the prevalence of economic insecurity—the proportion of the population unable to handle unexpected financial expenses. In 2024, 30% of the EU population reported being unable to cover unforeseen costs, a modest improvement of 1.2 percentage points from 2023 and a significant 7.4 percentage point drop compared to a decade ago. In Cyprus, while 34.8% still report difficulty handling emergencies, this marks a drastic improvement from 2015, when the figure stood at 60.5%.

A Broader EU Perspective

Importantly, no EU country in 2024 had more than half of its population facing economic insecurity—a notable improvement from 2015, when over 50% of the population in nine countries reported such challenges. These figures underscore both progress and persistent vulnerabilities within European households, urging policymakers to consider targeted measures for enhancing financial resilience.

For further insights and detailed analysis, refer to the original reports on Philenews and Housing Loans.

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