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Mark Tolley is the regional director of inDrive Asia Pacific region with over 15 years of experience driving growth and operational excellence in the global QSR, cloud kitchen, and mobility industries. As the Regional Director for inDrive, he oversees several markets across [SEA+O], focusing on strategic market expansion, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. Here’s an interview excerpt between Tolley and ApEx:

What factors have driven inDrive’s success in Nepal?

inDrive is always looking at markets where we can make a significant impact to local communities, we can bring affordable convenient mobility solutions and Nepal is one of those markets that we identified very early. There is a tangible transformed infrastructure where urbanization is outgoing. And Nepal again is a key market where we have seen right across 30 percent year in a year. The passengers  growth in the platform again is 30 percent plus and we have seen our drivers grow over 50 percent as well. And really what we put into that, I think the big thing we see in many countries and Nepal is our pay to pay model system and  where we are focused on fare transparent pricing for our customers. So, they can have the choice of value for money when you use our services. 

And on top of that we can have our low market leading commissions and when we put this together in a package when we enter a market, we see that there is a fairness and transparency that reflects with customers and drivers expectations. With this, the ecosystem has really allowed us to have more markets in Nepal and grow the market significantly. We only hope to continue growing up with this model of fairness without disrespecting our passengers.

inDrive emphasizes a people-centric and community-based approach. How does this strategy translate into the regional operations, and how do you ensure it resonates with local markets?

It’s always a case of how do we take a business at a lower price and I think we really work through this model allowing the environment through choice and control towards drivers and passengers.  So, what I mean by that is while our passengers are making their trip, they can choose the ride on the basis of ratings, varied costs and based upon the car that is comfortable and on top of that also the distance that they are. So, we have given these options to make their choice. In addition, the drivers can accept and decline too where I have also given power to the drivers and to be some of the entrepreneurs where they can choose when they work, how they work and which passengers do they want to take. And what this allows us to do, I am thinking of Nepalis in flexibility in freedom and underlining that this  you see great pricing which between the passenger and the driver is so unique and so aligned to people-centric mission and we see quite success.

Recently, we have been facing challenges related to some roaming cases. We have addressed this matter, and as part of our commitment to safety, inDrive maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy toward any harmful behavior or misconduct by users. The safety and satisfaction of our users, especially the safety and experience of women, is our top priority. We deeply regret and apologize for the incident experienced by our user.

At inDrive, we are a responsible company, and we are fully cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure fairness and justice in this matter. We are dedicated to continually improving our services, as trust is a core value for us globally. Incidents like this do not reflect the values of inDrive or the quality of service we aim to provide. In fact, we are strengthening our measures to do better in the future. We want to ensure that every choice made on the inDrive platform is safe and secure. To that end, we offer several safety features to protect our users: Safety Button that provides quick access to contact support, the police, or ambulance services from the main screen. You can also easily access the phone numbers of their friends or family, which can be activated at any time, even during a ride. Share Your Ride feature allows passengers and drivers to share their ride details with friends or family, including real-time tracking. Rate Your Passenger/Driver where they can rate each other, providing transparency and helping others make informed decisions based on ratings. Lastly, a 24/7 Customer Support team is available around the clock to assist with any concerns. We are fully committed to enhancing safety on our platform and ensuring that every experience with inDrive is safe and secure.

Sustainability is a growing concern in the transportation industry. What steps is inDrive taking to incorporate sustainable practices in its operations?

Sustainability has been a focus of inDrive for a while and globally we see the shift among more sustainable options in a mobility industry. If we look at inDrive in Nepal, what are we doing to address that is, a few months ago we started the feature of comfort cars and that allows for comfortable ride among passengers in certain vehicle types. One important thing to know about the comfort cars is that most of them are electric vehicles and we have seen the response from the customers to want this type of ride. So, we are fully committed over the next year and beyond to  increase the demand for electric vehicles that we have.

What are the biggest challenges facing the ride-hailing industry in this region, and how is inDrive positioning itself to overcome them?

The biggest challenge we’ve observed in South and Southeast Asia is the growing demand for mobility options. In South Asia, the sector is expected to experience double-digit growth over the next 4-5 years. With this growth comes tighter regulations and constant changes, which require us to collaborate closely with local regulators. It’s essential to ensure that the regulations support businesses, drivers, and passengers alike. This is a challenge we see across Asia, and we’re addressing it in Nepal by fostering strong partnerships and adapting to regulatory environments. The second challenge stems from the increasing demand, which brings heightened competition. In many markets, we see more players entering the space, and sometimes we compete with ourselves. To stand out, we rely on our unique and straightforward model. By focusing on affordability and maintaining market-leading low commission rates, we’re able to enter and thrive in these markets. Our approach not only makes rides affordable but also supports drivers in maximizing their earnings. This innovative strategy allows us to remain resilient and adaptable as new challenges and competitors emerge.

How is the company leveraging innovation to enhance user experience and stay ahead in a competitive market?

Besides affordability, inDrive differentiates itself through our unique peer-to-peer pricing model, which promotes transparency and fairness, ensuring that both riders and drivers are satisfied with the mutually-agreed price.

Our peer-to-peer model is both innovative and highly suitable for entering this nascent market. This model of transparency and fairness is a significant advantage for us and reflects the innovation we aim to bring. When it comes to commissions for drivers, we are deeply focused on ensuring fairness and maximizing their earnings. By maintaining low commission rates, particularly in countries like Nepal, we enable drivers to earn more per order. This approach ensures that at the end of the month, they have more money in their accounts.

Additionally, we prioritize safety. We have a rigorous onboarding process and a robust verification system for drivers. Real-time tracking is another essential feature that enhances safety. These elements, combined with our continuous efforts to innovate, demonstrate our commitment to both safety and fairness.

What are inDrive’s primary goals for Nepal, and how do you see the brand evolving over the next five years?

Personally, I would say our focus is to continue expanding in the Kathmandu market while exploring new opportunities as they arise. Beyond that, we aim to ensure added insurance benefits for our drivers, providing them with greater security. We are also in the process of establishing a local office, which will serve as a valuable resource for customers and passengers who wish to engage with us directly. Additionally, we are actively working to grow our electric vehicle fleet within Nepal, which aligns with our commitment to sustainability and innovation. These three areas—expansion, driver support, and the adoption of EVs—are key priorities for us over the next five years

Can you share some impact/CSR projects by inDrive in Nepal?

Nepal is one of the cornerstones of our focus for 2025 and beyond. We have our invision program, which collaborates with communities worldwide. Recently, we partnered with the Nepal Centre of Disaster Management (NCDM) to officially unveil our first inDrive house for victims of floods and landslides. This marked the first of five houses in the region, and seeing the tangible impact of these collaborations was truly a proud moment. We have our YourPace program, where we actively engage with the community. For instance, we’ll be participating in the Kathmandu Marathon with a dedicated team encouraging people to run—I’ll personally be there as well. Furthermore, we’ve supported cultural initiatives, such as sponsoring several events, including the Alternative Film Awards.

Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said that festivals of every Nepali caste and community have further enriched the Nepali society.

Extending best wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity to all Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar-2081 BS, he said festivals like Lhosar have provided an opportunity to strengthen mutual unity and cooperation among the Nepali community.

Sonam Lhosar, an important festival of the Tamang community, is celebrated with great enthusiasm as the beginning of the New Year.

Speaker Ghimire said that this festival, Lhosar, in which 'Lho' meaning year and 'Sar' meaning new, will give a message of new energy, prosperity and positive change.

"Sonam Lhosar is the indigenous festival of the Tamang community. The festival has become a unique example of cultural vibrancy, celebrated amidst the playing of the traditional Damphu musical drum and singing of Tamang Selo folk songs, wearing traditional costumes and relishing special dishes," the Speaker stated in his message.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has expressed the conviction that festivals like Sonam Lhosar contribute to further consolidating national unity.

In his message of best wishes on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar, festival of the Tamang community today, the Head of State expressed the belief that festivals such as Sonam Lhosar would foster mutual goodwill, tolerance and the sentiment of fraternity in the Nepali society characterized by multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural diversity.

"I wish that the Sonam Lhosar festival further strengthens the unity among all Nepalis and gives energy to all to move ahead to build an economically and socially prosperous country," president Paudel said.

The Sonam Lhosar is celebrated on the day of Magh Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Magh as per the lunar calendar. It is the New Year festival of the Tamang community.

On this festival, the Tamang community people offer worship to their clan deity, perform nature worship and recall Buddha's teachings, and also exchange happiness among each other amidst festive celebrations in gatherings.

Along with the Tamangs, other communities such as the Hyolmo, Thakali, Jirel, Nesyangwa, Bhote, Dura, Lepcha, etc living in different parts of the country, have also been celebrating this festival according to their own customs and tradition.

The Tamang community is celebrating Sonam Lhosar, New Year, by organizing various programs today.

According to the Manjushree calendar, the 2861st year starts from today. Sonam Lhosar festival is celebrated every year on the occasion of Magh Shukla Pratipada with various programs.

Sonam Lhosar is divided into 12 categories: rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon (cloud), snake, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog and pig.

The festival is specially celebrated in different districts of Bagmati region where Tamang caste is predominant. The government has given a public holiday across the country on the occasion.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, emphasizing reforms in all social sectors including politics, asserted that the country cannot be run on 'stunts'.

PM Oli said so while inaugurating the first Young Lawyers Summit organized by the Nepal Bar Association and Young Lawyers Interest Committee here today marking the Martyrs' Day.

Oli, on the occasion, called for individuals to discharge their duties with integrity and loyalty towards people to elevate the country from chaos and poverty.

Noting the important role of political leadership and people's involvement to establish democracy in the country, he urged commitment from one and all to maintain peace and order, good-governance and prosperity.

He stressed on the need for lawmakers to frame legislations realizing that they are doing so representing the sovereign citizens while, he added, that the government should not consider itself as an 'absolute authority'.

"The Parliament should formulate judicious legislation and the relevant agencies should function accordingly. Besides exercising the principle of check and balance, the practice of upholding laws is of paramount importance in democracy," the Head of the Government argued.

Reiterating the incumbent government's commitment to build a well-governed, corruption-free and prosperous country with happy citizens, he called for active cooperation from lawyers for this vision.

Pledging to implement the conclusions and recommendations drawn by the conference, Oli reassured the incumbent government's support towards lawyers and youths. He also vowed to pay attention to formulation of laws and ensuring welfare and advancement of this sector.

He opined that the situation of young lawyers getting scant wages should be ended.

The inaugural of the conference featured addresses delivered by various international representatives and launch of the 'Young Lawyers Survey Report'.

Nepal faces the risk of being added to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ‘gray list’—an informal designation for countries with strategic deficiencies in combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The warning comes as the FATF Plenary and Working Group meetings, scheduled for Feb 17-21 in Paris, France, are set to review Nepal’s progress in addressing these issues.  

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari acknowledged the risk, stating that Nepal is currently in the listing phase after completing its mutual evaluation period. “Even if we are listed, we have laid a strong foundation to exit the grey list,” Adhikari said, during Anti-money Laundering Day celebrations in Kathmandu. 

Officials say the FATF, an intergovernmental body that sets global standards for anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT), has expressed concerns over Nepal’s slow progress in key areas. Although Nepal has made legislative reforms, international observers have criticized the delays in investigations, prosecutions and enforcement of AML/CFT measures.  

Nepal’s mutual evaluation process, which began in June 2022, identified several gaps in the country’s AML/CFT framework. A team from the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), comprising experts from Australia, Bangladesh, Fiji, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, had made 11 immediate recommendations for improvement. However, government officials admit that progress in implementing these reforms has been unsatisfactory.  

The government had prepared to amend over a dozen laws through an ordinance in Oct 2022. The proposed amendments targeted key legislation, including the Money Laundering Prevention Act, Cooperative Act, Tourism Act, Nepal Penal Code, and Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act. However, the President declined to issue the ordinance.  

It was only in February 2023 that Parliament passed the anti-money laundering bill, amending several laws to align with international standards. Despite these efforts, experts say challenges remain in addressing issues such as proxy ownership of assets, underreporting of property values and large cash transactions.  

Law Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Phanindra Gautam, Prime Minister’s Office said that while Nepal has completed the third round of mutual evaluation, the results have not been entirely satisfactory. “The current context does not reflect effective implementation,” he said.  

Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal acknowledged that Nepal has adequate laws, structures, and human resources to combat money laundering but stressed the lack of reporting, enforcement, and active implementation. “This has led to repeated questioning by international institutions,” he said.  

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel admitted that Nepal has not done enough to address money laundering risks. “Efforts have been made to avoid being pushed into a high-risk or monitored category, but we have not been as effective as required,” he said. Paudel emphasized the need for strict adherence to international commitments and the implementation of domestic programs.  

If Nepal is gray-listed, it could face significant economic repercussions, including reduced foreign investment, higher transaction costs, and reputational damage.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 400 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 160, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 159, 200 per tola on Tuesday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 20 and is being traded at Rs 1, 855 per tola today.

The floods and landslides that struck in September 2024 have left a trail of devastation at Nabughat in Manthali Municipality, Ramechhap district, destroying farmland, vegetation, and the livelihoods of countless families. Among the hardest hit is Neeta Majhi, whose 15 ropani fields were completely washed away by the Sunkoshi flood. Neeta, who lives with her seven-member family, including four school-going children and elderly in-laws, now faces an uncertain future. With no food or income, she is forced to borrow money to buy rice and other essentials, leaving her anxious and overwhelmed. “I don’t know where to go or what to do to feed my family,” she says, her voice filled with despair.

Neeta’s plight is shared by approximately 50 families in the Jhurupp Majhi settlement, located in the southeastern corner of Manthali Municipality-6. The flood has left the community in ruins, with fields buried under sand and crops destroyed. “September 28 was a black day for Nabughat,” says Badri Bahadur Majhi, a local resident. “The flood buried everyone’s fields and crops. Now, all that remains is a vast expanse of sand. We can’t even tell where our land used to be.” Standing amidst the sandbanks, Badri gestures helplessly, trying to identify the boundaries of his lost farmland. “This is where my land used to lie,” he says, pointing to the heaps of sand around him. “But now, it’s all gone.”

The Sunkoshi flood has left behind deep ditches and towering sand dunes, rendering the once-fertile land unusable. Chakra Bahadur Majhi, another local, explains the challenges of reclaiming the land. “If we can clear the sand and prepare the land, we might be able to cultivate it again,” he says. However, the task is daunting. Unlike other areas where the Koshi River has receded, leaving behind cultivable land, Nabughat’s fields remain buried under layers of sand and debris. The community’s hopes are pinned on restoring the land to its former productivity, but progress has been slow.

Last year, locals successfully grew watermelons on the advice of agricultural technicians, and this year, they hope to do the same. “We’ll plant watermelons again,” says Chakra. “What else can we do? We just hope the land will be ready in time.” The community believes that beneath the nearly 500 ropanis of sand lies the fertile soil of their former farmland. In hopes of reclaiming it, they have appealed to Manthali Municipality for assistance. The municipality has allocated Rs 600,000 for sand removal and land restoration, but Ward Chairman Ashok Tamang admits it is insufficient. “The budget isn’t enough to clear the sand and restore the land,” he says. “We’re waiting for additional funds to start the work.”

The flood has also destroyed the irrigation infrastructure, compounding the challenges faced by the community. Wells, pipes, and cement-lined canals have been washed away, while electricity poles lie half-buried or broken. “First, we need to reclaim the land, then we can focus on rebuilding the irrigation system,” says Kale Majhi, a local elder and former public representative. “This is a disaster. The Koshi, which had never reached Nabughat before, has now devastated our village.” Kale, who has witnessed decades of change in the region, is deeply concerned about the future. “We’ve never faced anything like this,” he says. “The flood has taken everything from us.”

Four months after the flood, the community feels abandoned. “No one has come to help us,” laments Kale Majhi. Whenever outsiders visit the village, he hopes for relief, but so far, the community has received little support. “All we’ve gotten is a sack of rice,” he says. The lack of assistance has left the people of Nabughat feeling forgotten and hopeless. “We’ve lost our land, our crops, and our livelihoods,” says Neeta Majhi. “We don’t know how we’ll survive.”

The road to recovery is long and uncertain for the people of Nabughat. While the community remains resilient, the challenges they face are immense. Reclaiming the land, rebuilding infrastructure, and restoring livelihoods will require significant resources and support. For now, the Majhi community clings to hope, determined to rebuild their lives despite the odds. “We’ve faced hardships before, but this is the hardest,” says Badri Bahadur Majhi. “We’ll keep fighting, but we can’t do it alone. We need help.”