Abuja has a new way to get around. On October 1, 2026, PromiseLand Innovations Limited switched on ProTaxi, an e-hailing service built entirely around electric vehicles, with a stated plan to put 1,000 drivers behind the wheel of EVs in the Federal Capital Territory before expanding to other states. The Presidency publicly backed the launch, and for drivers squeezed by petrol at roughly ₦1,400 a litre, the pitch is easy to understand.
But an announcement is not the same as a working business model. In this guide we break down what ProTaxi actually is, what has (and hasn’t) been disclosed, how the running cost of an electric car in Nigeria compares with petrol, and the questions every Abuja driver should ask before signing up.
What Is ProTaxi?
ProTaxi is a ride-hailing platform operated by PromiseLand Innovations, a company that also has real estate interests through PromiseLand Estate. According to the company’s launch statement, reported by BusinessDay, the service works much like the ride-hailing apps Abuja residents already know:
- Mobile app booking on Android and iPhone, with in-app trip information and payments.
- Driver verification, real-time trip tracking, ratings and reviews.
- Location sharing aimed at passenger safety.
- Flexible schedules — the company says drivers can choose when they are available.
- An all-electric fleet, positioned as a cheaper-to-run alternative to petrol cars.
The CEO, Emmanuel Lawrence Oloche, framed the project as a livelihood scheme rather than “just another e-hailing application,” saying the aim is to create income that helps drivers’ families pay school fees and house rent. The company has said it will start in Abuja, then move to other Nigerian cities and eventually other African markets.
Government backing
At the Abuja launch event, Adetokunbo Ade-John, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation and Mobility, commended the company and urged it to expand beyond the FCT, describing the initiative as consistent with the administration’s mobility agenda. That endorsement is a positive signal, but it is worth being clear: it is a commendation, not a federal subsidy or guarantee for drivers. Nothing published so far indicates government funding of the vehicles themselves.
How Drivers Get In: The Onboarding Process
Per the company’s statement, prospective drivers must register for consideration, then go through screening, verification and onboarding before they are given access to a vehicle and the app. The company has spoken of “empowering 1,000 families with brand-new electric vehicles.”
What has not been publicly detailed at the time of writing:
- The make and model of the EVs in the fleet, and their battery size and range.
- The commercial terms — whether drivers pay a daily or weekly remittance, are on a hire-purchase (work-and-own) plan, earn a commission split, or a mix.
- Who pays for charging, and where drivers will charge.
- Insurance, maintenance and breakdown cover arrangements.
- The commission rate the platform keeps on each fare.
These details matter more than the headline. If you are a driver considering the scheme, get every one of them in writing before you commit.
EV vs Petrol: What It Really Costs to Run a Taxi in Abuja
The core promise of an electric taxi is lower running costs. Here is a simple, illustrative comparison using current published figures. Treat it as a rough guide, not a quote.
The inputs
- Petrol: As of early October 2026, pump prices in Abuja ranged from about ₦1,370 to ₦1,430 per litre, after NNPC, MRS and others cut prices following a ₦25 reduction in Dangote Refinery’s gantry price.
- Electricity: The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company’s Band A tariff is listed at ₦209.50 per kWh under NERC’s current tariff order. Lower bands pay less per kWh but get fewer hours of supply.
Illustrative cost per kilometre
Assuming a typical small petrol saloon returns around 10 km per litre in city traffic, and a typical compact EV uses roughly 15 kWh per 100 km (both are general assumptions, not ProTaxi fleet data):
- Petrol car: ₦1,400 ÷ 10 km ≈ ₦140 per km
- EV on Band A grid power: 0.15 kWh × ₦209.50 ≈ ₦31 per km
For a driver covering around 150 km a day, that works out to roughly ₦21,000 a day on petrol versus about ₦4,700 a day on grid electricity — a potential daily saving in the region of ₦16,000 before any remittance or commission. Over a 26-day working month, the gap could exceed ₦400,000.
Real numbers will differ. Air-conditioning, Abuja’s hills, traffic on routes like Nyanya–AYA or Kubwa Expressway, charging losses, and the actual vehicle all move the figure. If drivers end up relying on commercial fast chargers or diesel-generator charging instead of grid power, the per-kilometre cost rises sharply. Still, even with generous margins of error, electricity remains substantially cheaper per kilometre than petrol at today’s prices.
How ProTaxi Compares With Other Options for Abuja Drivers
Abuja drivers chasing lower fuel bills have three broad routes right now:
- Stay on petrol with an existing ride-hailing platform — no upfront change, but fuel at ₦1,370–₦1,430 a litre eats heavily into daily earnings.
- Convert to CNG — cheaper per kilometre than petrol, but requires conversion cost (unless you qualify for a subsidised programme) and depends on CNG station access. We covered this in detail in our guide to CNG conversion cost in Nigeria.
- Drive an EV through a fleet scheme like ProTaxi — the lowest energy cost per kilometre, with the vehicle supplied, but you depend on the operator’s terms and on reliable charging.
It also helps to see ProTaxi in the wider policy picture. In March 2026, the Presidential Initiative on CNG was expanded into the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles (PiCNG & EV), giving it a mandate covering EV rollout and charging infrastructure. In April 2026, the Federal Government cut import duty on electric vehicles and mass transit buses from 5% to 0%. Those moves lower the cost of bringing in fleets like ProTaxi’s — which is part of why EV-based ride-hailing schemes are starting to appear.
Electric Car Charging in Nigeria: The Big Practical Question
Charging is where EV taxi schemes in Nigeria succeed or fail. Public electric car charging in Nigeria is still thin, and grid supply varies hugely by feeder. A taxi that sits idle for hours waiting on power is not earning.
Before signing up, a driver should know:
- Will ProTaxi provide dedicated depot charging, ideally with solar or battery backup?
- Can the car be charged at home, and if so, on which tariff band does your house sit?
- How long does a full charge take, and what is the real-world range on a full battery with the AC running?
- What happens if the car runs low mid-shift far from a charger?
Industry-wide, inadequate charging infrastructure, unreliable electricity and limited consumer financing remain the biggest barriers to EV adoption in Nigeria — issues the government has acknowledged even as it pushes clean mobility.
Honest Drawbacks and Risks
ProTaxi could be a good opportunity, but drivers and riders should go in with eyes open:
- Undisclosed terms. The economics depend entirely on remittance, commission and charging arrangements that have not been published.
- New operator. PromiseLand is entering e-hailing for the first time and is competing against established apps with large rider bases. Driver earnings depend on ride volume.
- Maintenance and parts. EVs have fewer moving parts and no oil changes, but battery or motor faults need specialist technicians who are still scarce in Nigeria. Find out who handles repairs and who pays.
- Scale claims. “1,000 vehicles” is a target. How many cars are actually on the road today has not been independently reported.
What It Means for Abuja Commuters
For passengers, ProTaxi adds another option in the FCT’s e-hailing market, with the usual app-based safety features. Whether fares end up lower than petrol-based rivals has not been announced. If the operator passes some of its energy savings to riders, it could put downward pressure on fares — welcome news at a time when commuters say transport costs remain painful despite the October 1 clean-transport push.
Key Takeaways
- ProTaxi launched in Abuja on October 1, 2026, as an EV-only ride-hailing service targeting 1,000 drivers.
- The Presidency has commended it, but there is no published government subsidy for drivers.
- On current Abuja petrol and Band A electricity prices, an EV can cost roughly a quarter or less per kilometre to run — an estimate that depends heavily on charging source.
- Vehicle model, driver remittance, commission and charging terms have not been made public — get them in writing.
- Expansion to other states is planned but no dates have been given.
FAQ
How do I become a ProTaxi driver?
According to the company, you register for consideration, then go through screening, verification and onboarding. Contact PromiseLand Innovations directly for current requirements.
Is ProTaxi available in Lagos or Port Harcourt?
Not yet. The service started in Abuja, and the company says it plans to expand to other states, but no timeline has been announced.
Is running an electric car in Nigeria really cheaper than petrol?
Per kilometre, generally yes when charging from the grid — our illustrative estimate is around ₦31/km on Band A power versus about ₦140/km on petrol. Charging from a generator or paid fast charger narrows that gap considerably.
Do EVs still attract import duty in Nigeria?
In April 2026 the Federal Government reduced import duty on electric vehicles from 5% to 0%. Other charges and levies may still apply, so check the current Nigeria Customs Service tariff before importing.
Sources: details drawn from reporting by BusinessDay, The Sun and other Nigerian outlets on the ProTaxi launch; petrol prices from early October 2026 market reports; electricity tariff per NERC’s current order for AEDC; policy details from State House and Federal Government statements.
Disclaimer: Vehicle prices, import duties, fuel and electricity tariffs, and specs change frequently in Nigeria — always confirm current figures with the dealer, operator or official source before buying or signing any agreement.
