Uber abruptly halts business in Nigeria

Ride-hailing company Uber said Wednesday it was shutting down its business in Nigeria, effective immediately.

The US-based firm, founded in 2009, entered Africa's most populous country in 2014, first in the mega-city of Lagos, before expanding throughout the country.

"After a thorough review of our business, we have made the tough decision to wind down our operations in Nigeria, effective 2 September 2026," the company said in a statement, without providing further details.

The company also said Wednesday it was halting operations in Uganda. It left Tanzania earlier this year.

The exit from Nigeria and Uganda came the same day Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the company would cut its global workforce by 10 percent.

The move is expected to affect the livelihood of Nigerian drivers who depended on the platform -- some of whom are already reeling from the high cost of fuel.

Nigerians have been living through a brutal cost of living crisis amid economic overhauls introduced by President Bola Tinubu.

Economists and investors have supported the measures, citing increased macro-economic stability, though critics say the benefits of the reforms have yet to trickle down to ordinary people.

The removal of a fuel subsidy sent prices of fuel and goods skyrocketing, and motorists were squeezed again when the war in Iran pinched global oil supplies.

Uber Nigeria country manager Tope Akinwunmi said the company's operations had contributed about 34 billion naira ($24.9 million) to the economy, while its drivers collectively earned about 6.1 billion naira annually as of 2023.

But Uber drivers have long complained that the prices on the app were too low.

The company said its help centre would be available through September 23 to resolve remaining disputes.

Competing apps such as Bolt and InDrive also operate in Nigeria.

As of Wednesday afternoon, users could still book rides on the Uber app, an AFP reporter observed.

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