What's happened
Uber has winded down its operations in Nigeria and Uganda after a thorough review, effective September 2, 2026. The move comes as part of a global restructuring that includes cutting about 3,300 jobs. The company remains committed to sub-Saharan Africa but is refocusing investments on growth, automation and markets with stronger opportunities.
What's behind the headline?
The shift in Africa strategy
- Uber’s withdrawal from Nigeria and Uganda signals a broader reorientation toward markets with clearer regulatory clarity and higher profitability.
- The company is reallocating resources to growth areas, including autonomous mobility, which it has long touted as a future pillar.
- Local competition in both markets had intensified, with drivers complaining about earnings and costs, contributing to the decision.
What this means for riders and drivers
- Riders will need to adapt to other platforms such as Bolt, InDrive, and LagRide-like services that fill the gap left by Uber.
- Drivers must seek new partnerships or shifts to competing networks; some may face churn as demand redistributes.
Regulatory and economic backdrop
- Fuel subsidies removal and rising petrol prices feed into higher operating costs for ride-hailing firms, pressuring margins.
- The ongoing regulatory uncertainty in East Africa has already dampened investment appetite, a trend Uber is likely to monitor closely in other markets.
How we got here
Uber has faced a challenging Nigerian market since its 2014 Lagos launch, grappling with fuel costs, inflation, currency volatility and driver protests over fares. In Uganda, competition from local and regional ride-hailing platforms has grown. The exits follow Uber’s broader plan to simplify its structure and invest in autonomous mobility, after pulling out of Tanzania and Ivory Coast earlier in 2026.
Our analysis
All Africa reports detail Uber’s wind-down in Nigeria and Uganda, noting driver protests, rising costs and competition. BBC Business highlights the context of regulatory pressure and the broader global restructuring. Bloomberg confirms the company’s commitment to sub-Saharan Africa despite exits. The reporting shows a common thread: a cost-driven consolidation in a volatile operating environment.
Go deeper
- Will there be financial support for drivers and riders during the transition?
- Which markets are likely to attract Uber’s renewed investment next?
- How will competitors capitalize on Uber’s exit in Nigeria and Uganda?
More on these topics
-
Nigeria - Country in West Africa
Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a sovereign country located in West Africa bordering Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west.
-
Lagos
Lagos, sometimes referred to as Lagos State to distinguish it from Lagos Metropolitan Area, is a state located in southwestern Nigeria.
-
Uber Technologies, Inc. - Peer-to-peer ridesharing, food delivery, and transportation network company headquartered in San Francisco, California
Uber Technologies, Inc. is an American multinational transportation company that provides ride-hailing services, courier services, food delivery, and freight transport. It is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and operates in approximately 70...
-
Uganda - Country in East Africa
Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south
-
Dara Khosrowshahi - Chief Executive Officer of Uber
Dara Khosrowshahi is an Iranian-American businessman and the chief executive officer of Uber. Khosrowshahi was previously CEO of Expedia Group, a company that owns several travel fare aggregators.
-
South Africa - Country in Southern Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the world's 24th-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres.
-
Egypt - Country
Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula.
-
Ghana - Country in West Africa
Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, in the subregion of West Africa.
-
Tanzania - Country in East Africa
Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to the
-
Kenya - Country in East Africa
Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country in Eastern Africa. At 580,367 square kilometres, Kenya is the world's 48th largest country by total area. With a population of more than 47.6 million people, Kenya is the 29th most populous country.