inDrive Launches Digital Lending Service in Brazil to Support Driver Financial Inclusion
inDrive partners with fintech EmpreX to offer Brazilian drivers access to low-interest loans up to R$3,000 through its ride-hailing app, addressing financial exclusion challenges in the gig economy.
inDrive, a global mobility platform operating in 48 countries, has launched its inDrive.Money financial service in Brazil through a partnership with Latin American fintech EmpreX. The collaboration provides drivers with access to loans up to R$3,000 (approximately USD 548) directly through the inDrive app, which ranks as the world's second-most downloaded ride-hailing application.
The initiative addresses significant financial inclusion challenges facing gig workers in Brazil, where traditional banks often require extensive credit history while informal loans carry punitive interest rates. Alexander Kurchin, Head of Growth at inDrive.Money, stated that the service aligns with the company's mission to empower people with fair choices, noting that Brazil represents one of their most important global markets with hundreds of thousands of driver partners depending on the platform for income.
The lending model features an average five-month term until the first payment, with approximately 10% to 14% of each ride's value automatically allocated toward loan repayment. This structure eliminates fixed daily commitments while allowing drivers the flexibility to make additional payments directly to EmpreX if desired. Stefano Mazzaferro, Country Manager of inDrive in Brazil, emphasized that the service offers low-interest loans rather than credit card-based solutions, representing a significant differentiator in Brazil's mobility landscape.
EmpreX manages the entire assessment process through its partnership with BMP SCD, a licensed Brazilian financial institution, ensuring regulatory compliance. The fintech conducts full assessments based on driver information and earnings history to verify candidate eligibility. Initial operational data shows strong driver engagement, with 86% of borrowers indicating they would take another loan if needed and would recommend the solution to others.
The service currently operates in approximately 90 Brazilian locations, including major cities like Manaus, Fortaleza, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, and Florianópolis, as well as mid-sized cities such as Campinas and Marabá. Silvan Roth, CEO of EmpreX, highlighted how the integration transforms complex financial workflows into simple app-based processes, putting working capital directly into drivers' hands when needed for vehicle repairs, fuel, or unexpected expenses.
By incorporating financial services into its platform, inDrive continues its mission to combat injustices and expand driver freedom while strengthening financial inclusion and contributing to Brazil's economy. The expansion builds on the company's successful experiences with inDrive.Money in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, demonstrating a proven model for supporting economic independence among gig workers.