Uber Exits Nigeria and Uganda Amid Global Restructuring Efforts

Uber is permanently closing its business in Nigeria and Uganda. The shutdown took effect on September 2, 2026. This move arrives right as the international mobility company cuts about 3,300 jobs globally, which equals roughly 10 percent of its total workforce. The company wants to redirect its financial resources toward developing autonomous vehicles and supporting regions with higher profit margins.

Leaving Nigeria marks the end of a twelve year run in the largest economy in Africa. The platform originally launched in Lagos back in 2014 and helped introduce app-based taxi services to the region. Competing platforms like Bolt quickly entered the same space and started a massive price war. Lower fares pleased riders but squeezed company margins tightly.

Rising operating expenses also heavily influenced this decision. Severe inflation, constant currency devaluation, and spiking fuel prices made providing cheap rides incredibly difficult. Drivers staged multiple protests over the last few years over commission rates they felt were completely unfair. To make matters worse, recent disagreements with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria added heavy friction to standard operations. Tech companies operating in the region often face these shifting economic pressures, similar to the challenges faced by local fintech brands when PalmPay sought $100M in funding to expand digital banking.

Despite leaving these two nations, the company stated it will maintain its services in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana. The corporate leadership team confirmed that the exit is strictly limited to Nigeria and Uganda. A dedicated support center will remain open until September 23 to help riders and drivers close out their accounts. Drivers affected by the sudden closure will receive a one-time goodwill payment to help cushion the financial blow. You can track how other major corporations manage regional shutdowns and workforce changes over at Bloomberg Technology.

This departure opens the door wide for competing platforms. Bolt and inDrive now have a clear path to capture the passengers and drivers left behind. Whether they can maintain cheap prices while keeping drivers happy remains an open question. The entire mobility sector in Africa is going through a massive reset. Regional startups are constantly adjusting their business models to survive the current economic climate, a trend we discussed when looking at how Flutterwave hit a $3B valuation with stablecoin backing.

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