Uber has shut down its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect, ending its 12-year presence in Nigeria and about a decade of operat...
Uber has shut down its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect, ending its 12-year presence in Nigeria and about a decade of operations in Uganda. The company said the decision followed a review of its business and would apply only to the two markets.
Uber announced that its operations in both countries would end on September 2, 2026. In a message to users, the company said: “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 later confirmed that Uganda was also included in the withdrawal. An Uber spokesperson said the company had stopped operations in Uganda, with users attempting to request rides receiving messages that no rides were available.
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Uber did not give a detailed explanation for the closure of the two markets. It said the decision followed a review of its evolving business priorities and investment focus across Africa. The company stressed that the move was limited to Nigeria and Uganda and would not affect its operations in other African markets.
The withdrawal ends Uber’s 12-year presence in Nigeria. The company entered the Nigerian market in 2014, beginning in Lagos before expanding to other cities. Its departure comes as Nigeria’s ride-hailing market has become increasingly competitive.
The Nigerian market has also presented challenges for ride-hailing companies, including rising fuel costs, inflation and currency volatility. These factors have increased operating expenses and placed pressure on both drivers and platforms. Reuters reported that competition in the Nigerian ride-hailing market had intensified in recent years.
Uber did not disclose how many drivers or riders would be affected by the Nigerian closure. The company also did not say whether any assets in the country would be sold following its exit.
For Nigerian users, Uber said its help centre would remain available until September 23 to assist with outstanding account-related issues. The company has also said its immediate priority is to support drivers, riders and local team members during the transition.
The company’s departure from Nigeria is also separate from a recent dispute involving e-hailing operations at Nigerian airports. Uber said its decision to leave the Nigerian market was not related to the directive by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria concerning e-hailing services at airports.
In Uganda, Uber had operated since 2016, when it launched in Kampala. Its exit therefore ends roughly a decade of operations in the country. The company has not indicated that the decision represents a withdrawal from the wider sub-Saharan African market.
Uber’s African withdrawal comes at the same time as a wider restructuring of the company. On September 2, Uber announced plans to cut about 3,300 employees, representing around 10 percent of its workforce. Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi said the restructuring was aimed at reducing management layers and simplifying the company’s structure.
The company has linked the wider restructuring to its plans to simplify its operations and redirect resources towards growth opportunities. The job cuts are the largest reduction in Uber’s workforce since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Reuters.
Despite leaving Nigeria and Uganda, Uber said its commitment to sub-Saharan Africa remains. The company said the decision was limited strictly to the two markets and did not affect its other operations on the continent. It also said it continued to see growth and long-term opportunities in the region.
The closure marks a significant change for users and drivers who relied on the Uber platform in Nigeria and Uganda. In Nigeria, the company’s operations had lasted 12 years, while its Uganda business had operated for approximately 10 years before services were discontinued on September 2.
Uber has not announced any immediate plans to resume operations in either country. For now, the company’s services in Nigeria and Uganda have ended, while its remaining African operations continue.
