Probe ordered after year-long delay in resolving ‘Taxi Nafa’ loan concerns

Transport Minister Mohamed Saeed has assured that a fair resolution will be reached regarding public concerns over the “Taxi Nafa” loan scheme, under which participants are reportedly being pressured to repay loans for vehicles that remain unregistered.

Minister Saeed made these remarks in response to a letter circulated on social media by a private citizen, Adam Saleem of Mutheegē, HA. Dhidhdhoo, who stressed that the issue has remained unresolved for more than a year.

In his letter addressed to the Minister, Adam Saleem stated that lenders are repeatedly urging individuals who obtained vehicles through the “Taxi Nafa” loan scheme to begin repayments, despite the vehicles not being registered. He highlighted the significant hardships this situation has caused for borrowers, calling for an urgent resolution and requesting a meeting with the Minister to further discuss the issue.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

އަލްފާޟިލް އާދަމް ސަލީމް (މުތީގެ / ހއ.ދިއްދޫ) އަށް،
ވެދުން ސަލާމަށް ފަހު ދަންނަވަމެވެ.

އަޅުގަނޑަށް އެޑްރެސްކުރައްވާ މީސްމީޑިއާގައި ޝާއިޢުކުރެއްވި ސިޓީއާ ގުޅިގެން ދަންނަވަމެވެ.

އެ ސިޓީގައި ފާހަގަކުރައްވާފައިވާ ކަންކަން އިންސާފުވެރިކަމާއެކުގައި ބަލައި،… https://t.co/jxAbbDL1np

— Mohamed Saeed (@em_saeed) April 24, 2026

The “Taxi Nafa” loan scheme was introduced to support Maldivian citizens in establishing taxi services within the Greater Malé Region. However, the letter noted that the registration process has been delayed due to administrative setbacks within relevant government institutions. Loan recipients argue that it is unreasonable to require repayments when they are unable to generate income, as the absence of registration prevents them from securing the necessary permits to operate.

“I believe it is a primary duty to look into the points raised in that letter fairly and to find the fastest possible pathways and solutions to move forward,” the Minister stated in his response to the letter. 

The Minister further noted that he has already directed officials responsible for transport administration to investigate the concerns raised.

The letter also highlighted the legal and financial concerns faced by loan recipients as a result of the prolonged registration process, expressing hope for a prompt and lasting resolution to the challenges confronting taxi operators.

The Drivers Association of Maldives has previously described the situation as a “scam,” noting that drivers are being required to repay loans for vehicles procured under a previous government initiative that have remained unused and unregistered for over a year.

The loan scheme was introduced by the former SME Development Finance Corporation (previously SDFC) on September 4, 2023. However, funds were only disbursed to applicants after the change in administration, coinciding with the parliamentary elections.

Despite this, complaints have continued to increase, as vehicles acquired under the scheme remain unregistered and unusable to date. Taxi drivers staged protests over the issue as recently as late 2024.

At the time, the Drivers Association stated that some drivers had incurred loans amounting to MVR 179,000 without having seen their vehicles or received them in a condition suitable for use. The association characterized the situation as an instance of negligence by state institutions toward taxi drivers.

Although the concerns raised by drivers remain substantial, they state that no concrete solution has been provided to address their grievances, even after more than a year.