Uber drives away from Nigeria and Uganda

On Sep 4, 2026

Ride-hailing platform Uber has ceased operations with immediate effect in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, as well as the East African nation of Uganda.

Following a review of its business, the company said it had made the “difficult decision” to shut down operations in the two African countries.

Uber launched in Nigeria in 2014 and expanded into Uganda in 2016.

The company said the decision affected only its businesses in Nigeria and Uganda and would not disrupt its operations elsewhere on the continent.

“We are writing to share some difficult news. After a thorough review of our business, we have made the tough decision to wind down our operations in Nigeria, effective September 2, 2026,” Uber said in an email to Nigerian customers.

“Since we first launched in Kampala in 2016, it has been an absolute privilege to be part of your daily life, connecting you with independent transportation providers,” the company told Ugandan customers.

The ride-hailing platform said it was focusing its resources on markets where it could deliver greater value to drivers and enhance their earning opportunities.

Over the past year, Uber has also exited the markets of Côte d’Ivoire in 2025 and Tanzania in early 2026.

With its withdrawal from Nigeria and Uganda, the company will now continue operations in only four African countries: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

The company pledged support for employees and drivers impacted by the shutdown and said its help center would stay open until September 23, 2026, to assist customers in Nigeria and Uganda with any unresolved matters.

Uber cutting 3,000 jobs globally

The withdrawals from Nigeria and Uganda come as Uber moves ahead with plans to cut 3,000 jobs globally, affecting about 10% of its workforce.

The company said the restructuring is intended to streamline management, accelerate decision-making and generate annual savings of up to US$2 billion.

The layoffs also reflect Uber’s renewed focus on autonomous vehicles, ride-hailing and delivery services.

Bolt says it’s staying put

Rival ride-hailing company Bolt has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria after Uber announced it would exit the market.

Bolt West Africa Senior General Manager Teddy Appa-Dankyi said Nigeria continues to hold significant importance for the company.

“Nigeria remains an important market for Bolt, and we remain firmly committed to the country,” Appa-Dankyi explained.

Appa-Dankyi acknowledged that Uber’s departure could unsettle sentiment in the ride-hailing sector but insisted it would not deter Bolt from pursuing its long-term strategy.

Bolt has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria after Uber announced it would exit the market. (Source: Bolt Press Kit)

Appa-Dankyi said the company had established a strong network of drivers and riders in Nigeria and remained committed to expanding its services.

“We will continue working closely with our drivers, riders, regulators and other partners to contribute to a reliable, accessible and sustainable mobility ecosystem in Nigeria,” he said.

Nigeria now a ‘graveyard of businesses’

Nigeria’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the Uber exit from Nigeria, alongside the shutdown or scaling down of operations by several major international companies, as further evidence that the country’s economic policies are turning Nigeria into a “graveyard of businesses.”

ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said the growing number of businesses shutting down, downsizing or exiting Nigeria highlighted a widening disconnect between the government’s narrative of economic progress and the realities faced by businesses and ordinary citizens.

The party said that Uber’s exit after twelve years in Nigeria reflects the increasingly hostile operating environment confronting businesses, particularly the soaring cost of energy and transportation, with the price of fuel rising by as much as 1,700% following the removal of fuel subsidy and devaluation of the naira.

“This is precisely why the ADC Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has proposed the restoration of a targeted fuel subsidy to bring down the cost of fuel, transportation and production,” ADC added.

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