Shared Mobility - Southern Africa

Southern Africa

Highlights

The projected revenue for the Shared Mobility market in Southern Africa is estimated to reach US$3.82bn by 2024, with an expected annual growth rate of 3.86% (CAGR 2024-2029).
This growth rate is expected to result in a market volume of US$4.62bn by 2029.
It is noteworthy that the largest market in the Southern African Shared Mobility market is Flights, with a projected market volume of US$1.39bn in 2024.
By 2029, the number of Public Transportation users is expected to increase up to 34.14m users.
In 2024, the user penetration rate is expected to be 46.3%, which is estimated to grow to 50.6% by 2029.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) in the Southern African market is expected to be US$117.70.
It is projected that by 2029, 60% of the total revenue in the Shared Mobility market sector will be generated through online sales.
Finally, it is worth noting that, in comparison with other countries, China is expected to generate the most revenue in the Shared Mobility market, with US$365bn in 2024.
The adoption of shared mobility services in South Africa is hindered by limited infrastructure and a preference for private car ownership.

Key regions:

Definition:

The Shared Mobility market encompasses a diverse range of long- and short-distance mobility services. As the world moves towards a more connected and digital era, the Shared Mobility market is central to driving innovation, collaboration, and the development of intelligent transportation systems.

Structure:

The market consists of eleven further markets. These include the following markets:

The Car Rentals market contains vehicle rentals that have been booked in person, by telephone via the internet or an app.
The Car-sharing market includes professionally run car-sharing services that provide on-demand access vehicles, allowing users to rent cars for short periods, e.g., by minute or hour.
The Bike-sharing market contains short-term bike-sharing services. Bicycles can be found in the provider’s business zone where they are either parked at designated stations or freely distributed without fixed docks.
The Ride-hailing market encompasses on-demand transportation services facilitated through mobile apps or online platforms. This market covers both private vehicle rides and taxi services, all booked exclusively online.
The Taxi market covers exclusively traditional taxi services booked offline, typically via street hailing or phone calls.
The Flights market contains air travel bookings regardless of the purchase channel, such as an airline's website or a travel agency.
In the Public Transportation market, revenues generated by ticket sales from public transportation companies are considered.

Additional Information:

The main performance indicators of the Shared Mobility market are revenues, average revenue per user (ARPU), user numbers and user penetration rates. Additionally, online and offline sales channel shares display the distribution of online and offline bookings. The ARPU refers to the average revenue one user generates per year while the revenue represents the total booking volume. Revenues are generated through both online and offline sales channels and include exclusively B2C revenues and users for the above-mentioned markets. User numbers show only those individuals who have made a reservation, independent of the number of travelers on the booking. Each user is only counted once per year. Additional definitions for each market can be found within the respective market pages.

The booking volume includes all booked rides made by users from the selected region, regardless of where the ride took place.

For further information on the data displayed, refer to the info button right next to each box.

Market definitionIn-Scope/Out-of-scopeMarket structureReportsMethodology

The Shared Mobility market in Southern Africa is experiencing significant growth and development, driven by various factors unique to the region.

Customer preferences: Customers in Southern Africa are increasingly valuing convenience, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability when it comes to transportation options. Shared Mobility services such as ride-hailing, bike-sharing, and car-sharing are gaining popularity as they offer flexibility and affordability to users.

Trends in the market: In South Africa, ride-hailing services have seen a surge in demand, especially in urban areas where traffic congestion is a major issue. The convenience of booking a ride through a mobile app and the competitive pricing compared to traditional taxis have contributed to the success of these services. Additionally, bike-sharing schemes are becoming more prevalent in cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg, catering to environmentally conscious commuters and tourists.

Local special circumstances: One of the key factors influencing the Shared Mobility market in Southern Africa is the infrastructure challenges in certain regions. In countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia, where public transportation systems are limited, Shared Mobility services fill a crucial gap in the market. Moreover, the rise of digital payment solutions has made it easier for users to access and pay for these services, contributing to their widespread adoption.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The economic landscape in Southern Africa, characterized by a growing middle class and rapid urbanization, plays a significant role in the development of the Shared Mobility market. As more people move to cities in search of better opportunities, the demand for efficient and cost-effective transportation solutions increases. Additionally, government initiatives to reduce traffic congestion and curb carbon emissions are driving the adoption of Shared Mobility services across the region.

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on bookings, revenues, and online shares of car rentals, ride-hailing, taxi, car-sharing, bike-sharing, e-scooter-sharing, moped-sharing, trains, buses, public transportation, and flights.

Modeling approach:

Market sizes are determined through a bottom-up approach, building on a specific rationale for each market. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use financial reports, third-party studies and reports, federal statistical offices, industry associations, and price data. To estimate the number of users and bookings, we furthermore use data from the Statista Consumer Insigths Global survey. In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as demographic data, GDP, consumer spending, internet penetration, and device usage. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, ARIMA, which allows time series forecasts, accounting for stationarity of data and enabling short-term estimates. Additionally, simple linear regression, Holt-Winters forecast, the S-curve function and exponential trend smoothing methods are applied.

Additional notes:

The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The market is updated twice a year in case market dynamics change.