Mathiu Najeeb

A lot of people are talking about the “Malé Taxi” name right now. I want to share our side of the story not as a complaint, but because 10 years of hard work deserves to be heard. In 2015, we registered the business name “Malé Taxi” under Taviyani Pvt Ltd (Registration No. BN-0929/2015). That same year, we launched Kobaa Taxi, an online taxi booking service. We purchased 150 Samsung tablets from Thailand, along with MiFi devices and SIM cards from Dhiraagu, all with our own money, and distributed them to drivers ourselves. There was no funding, no backing just our own effort to build something new for Malé. In 2016, we submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Economic Development for motorcycle taxi services (RFP Ref: (IUL)101-AF/2016/77). We demonstrated the concept, but our proposal was not selected. We were then advised to apply through a new regulation, and we followed every process as required. In 2017, the ministry opened an Expression of Interest for Premium Taxi Services in Malé and Hulhumalé (Ref: (IUL)101-AF/1/2017/31, dated 1 February 2017). We submitted a detailed proposal featuring electric and hybrid vehicles, app-based booking, Maldivian drivers in uniform, cashless rides, and a phased rollout plan. We even beat MTCC on price. In the end, the project was cancelled. At that time, very few people in the Maldives believed an app-based taxi service could work so in 2017, we stopped. But we did not give up. In February 2019, we rebranded and launched Avas Ride. We started again from zero with no outside rescue. Just our own money, our own belief, and our determination to keep going. Today 7 years later Avas Ride has more than 160,000 customers and 3,000+ drivers. In 2025 alone, we completed 2.9 million rides. As a white-label platform, we faced limitations in customizing the product for the Maldivian market including constraints around integrations such as BML payment gateway ,implementation of safety features. Despite these challenges, we continued to grow and validate the model locally. In 2023, we made a major decision: to build our own platform from scratch. We began developing Avas App with a fully Maldivian team 8 developers, a CTO, a UI designer, and a product manager. We successfully launched it with a grand event, marking a new chapter for locally built technology. Today, we are preparing for an international white-label launch in Q3 this year. We proved that this model works not with government money, but with persistence, resilience, and belief in what we are building. Then, on 2 April 2026, MTCC launched “Malé Taxi Line”: electric vehicles, app-based booking, Malé and Hulhumalé coverage, and uniformed drivers. It is almost identical to what we proposed in 2017 and it uses the name we registered in 2015. We sent a formal notice regarding name infringement to MTCC on 28 March 2026. They launched anyway. There was no response, no negotiation, and no acknowledgment. Let us be clear we are not against better public transport. In fact, we have spent the last decade trying to build exactly that. But if a legally registered business name can be used by a state-owned company without even a conversation, then what message does that send entrepreneurs in Maldives.

I’m told MTCC awarded a ~MVR 13 million “MaleTaxiApp” project to a company called FixedMaldives. Key concerns being raised: - No open bidding, only selected suppliers were invited - Fixed Maldives is a sole proprietorship registered in 2022, with no listed business names, activity permits, or relevant licenses - Their services don’t indicate app development capabilities - Portfolio shows experience in hardware, cameras, and networking: not software development - Project was reportedly due for completion in November, but app remains unfinished as of yesterday - Multiple payments have already been made This is something journalists should look into, to verify the facts, clarify the procurement process, and provide transparency on the project’s current status.

I’m told MTCC awarded a ~MVR 13 million “MaleTaxiApp” project to a company called FixedMaldives. Key concerns being raised: - No open bidding, only selected suppliers were invited - Fixed Maldives is a sole proprietorship registered in 2022, with no listed business names, activity permits, or relevant licenses - Their services don’t indicate app development capabilities - Portfolio shows experience in hardware, cameras, and networking: not software development - Project was reportedly due for completion in November, but app remains unfinished as of yesterday - Multiple payments have already been made This is something journalists should look into, to verify the facts, clarify the procurement process, and provide transparency on the project’s current status.

The news coming out of Israel is deeply distressing. I condemn the terrorist acts of Hamas and my thoughts are with those affected and those who have lost loved ones.

I utterly condemn the ongoing attacks on Israel and her citizens. There is no justification for this act of terror which is being perpetrated by those who seek to undermine any chance for future peace in the region. Israel has a right to defend herself.