Cameroonian women hop on to taxi apps for safety

Cameroonian women are finding greater safety and independence in ride-hailing apps, but they are not accessible to everyone. — Reuters

DOUALA, Cameroon: After years of struggling with high fares, fraudulent drivers, and sexual harassment in taxis in the Cameroonian city of Douala, Lilian Dibo Eyong downloaded Yango, the ride-hailing app that promised safer, cheaper rides.

Yango, owned by Russian tech giant Yandex, is one of several ride-hailing apps launched in recent years in the central African nation, where women have long reported sexual harassment, assaults and feeling unsafe on taxis and buses.