Ride-hailing company Uber has announced plans to discontinue its operations in Nigeria and Uganda effective 2 September, citing a review of its evolving business priorities and investment focus across Africa. Uber disclosed its decision to exit Nigeria and Uganda in a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, noting that this does not affect its operations in other African markets.
Uber’s departure came weeks after controversy over the operation of e-hailing platforms at Nigerian airports. On 30 July, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) directed airport managers to stop Uber and Bolt from operating commercially at its managed airports pending the finalisation of licence agreements. The move sparked complaints over higher airport transport fares, prompting Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo to direct FAAN on 27 August to address the concerns.
Bolt was later cleared to resume operations at airports managed by FAAN after Mr Keyamo’s intervention. But the ride-hailing company said the decision to exit Nigeria is unrelated to the recent FAAN directive concerning e-hailing operations at Nigerian airports. “Uber’s decision to discontinue operations in Nigeria was made following a review of its evolving business priorities and investment focus across Africa.
“The decision is not related to the recent FAAN directive concerning e-hailing operations at Nigerian airports,” the company said. Uber said the decision is limited strictly to the two markets and does not affect its operations elsewhere on the continent. It added that the company’s immediate priority is supporting drivers, riders and local team members throughout the transition period.
“Uber remains deeply committed to Sub-Saharan Africa, where we continue to see robust growth and long-term opportunity,” it said. It added that it focuses its investments on markets where it believes it can add the most value for drivers by providing earning opportunities at scale and enabling riders to