ABUJA/KAMPALA, 06 Sept. - (ANA) - Uber continued a year-long retreat from Africa by ending operations in Nigeria and Uganda this week. Its exit from Africa’s most populous country in particular sparked scrutiny over the conditions for companies to thrive in the middle of an economic revamp.

 

The US ride-hailing company launched in Nigeria in 2014, later expanding to offer boat rides in Lagos and a courier service. But challengers emerged and weakened its quest for dominance, often with different models tailored to local habits. Estonian company Bolt, for example, allows drivers to use car models that Uber deemed too old, while InDrive allows both passenger and driver to haggle over prices. Uber’s Nigeria departure, amid broader global cuts, now cedes ground to both firms and a crop of local players like LagRide, a startup backed by the state government in Lagos.

 

Uber, which left Côte d’Ivoire last September and Tanzania earlier this year, maintains that it sees “growth and opportunity” in sub-Saharan Africa. Operations in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa remain active.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/06 September 2026 - - -