Full story
Uber exits two markets
Uber ended ride-hailing services in Nigeria and Uganda on September 2, shrinking its reported African country footprint from six markets to four.
“Uber ended ride services in Nigeria and Uganda on September 2.”
The withdrawals followed Uber’s “review of its business” and left the company operating in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, with its help centre remaining available in Nigeria and Uganda until 23 September.
In Nigeria, Uber launched in 2014 and expanded beyond cars, including a boat service in Lagos in 2019, while in Uganda it entered in 2016.
Uber’s spokesperson Lorraine Onduru said, “Uber remains deeply committed to Sub-Saharan Africa,” and the decision affected only Nigeria and Uganda.
Uber traded at $77.12 at 09:19 EDT and its shares rose 0.9% before Thursday’s open, according to TechStock².
Drivers and riders surprised
The Washington Post said Uber abruptly ended its operations in Nigeria on Wednesday after more than 12 years, and drivers learned of the decision “in real time, with little warning.”
Sky News reported Uber shut operations in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect and cited “a thorough review of our business” as its reason for shutting down in the former.
Africanews said Uber’s exit came with immediate effect and pointed to rising fuel and operating costs in Nigeria, disputes over fares and platform commissions, and intensified competition from Bolt, inDrive and local services.
In Uganda, Africanews said other services including Bolt, SafeBoda and Faras were expected to compete for Uber’s former customers, as Uber’s withdrawal followed its earlier exits from Ivory Coast and Tanzania.
APAC Media said Uber told customers it made the decision after reviewing its business in the country, and quoted the company’s message that it was “effective 2 September 2026.”
What comes next
Uber said it would support affected drivers and employees, with its help centre remaining available for 21 days after operations ceased to address outstanding and transition-related issues.
“rider support would remain available for 21 days after operations ceased”
APAnews reported that Onduru said active drivers would receive a token of appreciation as they transitioned out of the platform, and that rider support would remain available for 21 days after operations ceased.
Infobae reported that Uber said the exit was limited strictly to Nigeria and Uganda and did not affect operations in the rest of the continent, while also stating it would suspend Uber for Business services in Nigeria as part of the exit.
Premium Times Nigeria said Uber’s departure came weeks after controversy over the operation of e-hailing platforms at Nigerian airports, but Uber stated the decision to exit Nigeria was “not related to the recent FAAN directive concerning e-hailing operations at Nigerian airports.”
TechStock² said the exits cut its reported African country footprint by one-third and that the company gave no financial reason for leaving, while noting Uber groups Africa with Europe and the Middle East for revenue reporting.