Global ride-hailing giant Uber officially announced its entry into the Nepali market on Friday, becoming the fourth international ride-hailing platform operating in the country.

The company has launched its services in partnership with Kathmandu-based ride-hailing platform Taximandu. Uber said it is currently testing different business models in Nepal to determine which approach is most effective for the local market.

According to company officials, Uber is experimenting with both subscription-based and commission-based models. In India, Uber operates a subscription model in which drivers pay a fixed fee to access the platform and retain the full fare from rides, while the company does not take a commission. In Nepal, however, both models are being evaluated.

The company expects foreign tourists visiting Nepal to form an important part of its growth strategy.

Akanksha Singh, Uber’s Head of International Markets for South Asia, said the company does not yet have a representative office in Nepal but plans to establish one by the end of the year.

She said users traveling to Nepal from countries where Uber already operates, including India and the United States, will be able to use the service through their existing Uber app without needing to download a separate application.

Singh also highlighted significant opportunities for expansion beyond ride-hailing services.

“Courier services, food delivery and intercity travel are important opportunities. All of these possibilities are currently under evaluation,” she said.

Uber reported strong interest from drivers following its launch. According to Singh, nearly 2,500 drivers have joined the platform in less than a week, including both two-wheeler and four-wheeler operators. More than 20,000 drivers attempted to download the app during the same period.

She added that Uber is making significant investments in Nepal and has already begun the process of registering its local operations.

Speaking at the launch event in Kathmandu, Dominic Taylor, Uber’s Vice President of Rides and Regional General Manager for the Asia-Pacific region, said Nepal’s rapidly growing tourism industry was one of the key factors behind the company’s decision to enter the market.

“We have come to Nepal with a long-term commitment and plan to remain here for the next decade and beyond,” Taylor said.

Ram Krishna Lamichhane, Director General of Nepal’s Department of Tourism, welcomed Uber’s arrival, saying accessible transportation is essential for the development of the tourism sector.

Chelan J. Bliss, Chief of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Nepal, said American investment is helping support Nepal’s ongoing digital transformation.