Transitioning Urban Taxis to Electric Mobility and Digital Payments in Cameroon: An Empirical Analysis of Barriers, Economics, and Viability

Abstract

Sub-Saharan African cities' urban taxi fleets are under strain from both ineffective cash-based fare collection and fluctuating fuel prices. Nevertheless, there is still a dearth of empirical data regarding the viability of digital payment methods and electric cars (EVs) in Central African settings. The potential operational cost reductions from EV adoption among taxi drivers in Yaoundé and Douala, Cameroon; the main obstacles to EV and digital payment adoption; and the economic feasibility of these changes given current operating patterns are all experimentally investigated in this study. Using stratified purposive sampling, a cross-sectional survey was given to 300 taxi drivers from major taxi stations (160 in Douala and 140 in Yaoundé). Bivariate analyses (chi-square tests) evaluating adoption readiness by driver utilisation level and ownership status were used to supplement descriptive statistics. Local power rates (XAF 75/kWh, ENEO, 2024) and fuel prices (XAF 650/L) were included in operational cost modelling. More than half (54.7%) of drivers go 151–200 km per day and spend XAF 15,001–20,000 on petrol. Adoption of EVs could result in a 60–70% reduction in energy expenses, saving high-utilization drivers an estimated XAF 315,000–420,000 each month. However, 84% operate under leasing agreements, which restricts their ability to acquire vehicles, and 32.2% identify a lack of charging infrastructure as the main obstacle. 60% of people use digital payments, however full adoption is hampered by transaction fees (39.1%) and technical knowledge gaps (34.8%). Infrastructure deficiencies and ownership models necessitate regulatory attention, however EV adoption is economically feasible for high-utilization, owner-operator drivers within a 2.5–3.5 year payback period. Fee reductions and focused digital literacy initiatives are necessary for the growth of digital payments. The results add empirical evidence to the literature on sustainable mobility from a location with limited data