DiDi expands Latin American operations through social programs and startup investments

DiDi is expanding its strategic footprint in Latin America through social initiatives in Colombia and startup investments in Brazil.

In Colombia, DiDi has reported progress on its ‘Soñando con DiDi’ program, which provides funding for driver-led projects such as education, housing, and environmental conservation. Data shows that in 2025, vehicle rental users on the platform covered approximately 1.37 billion kilometers. A study by KREAB indicates that 67% of surveyed drivers are the primary breadwinners for their families, and 23% utilize the platform's flexibility to manage academic or personal responsibilities.

In Brazil, the ride-hailing platform 99, controlled by DiDi, plans to increase its investment in the local startup ecosystem starting in 2027. These investments will be made through direct capital from DiDi and via YvY Capital, a fund focused on two-wheel electromobility. Rather than creating a single large fund, the company intends to make smaller, more frequent investments in startups that offer synergies with its existing operations.