Uber pulls out of Nigeria and Uganda — ride‑hailing suspended from Sept 2, 2026.

Uber has officially ceased all ride-hailing operations in Nigeria and Uganda as of September 2, 2026. Users attempting to access the app encountered notifications stating "No ride available," marking the conclusion of the company's 12-year presence in the region since its launch in Lagos in 2014.

The company cited a global reassessment of its business priorities and investment strategies as the reason for this abrupt exit. Nevertheless, local market analysts and reports point to significant macroeconomic and competitive challenges.

Severe fluctuations in currency, elevated inflation rates, and soaring fuel prices have profoundly affected the ride-hailing sector.
Local drivers have consistently voiced concerns that Uber's commission rates are excessively high, while fares have not kept pace with the increasing costs of vehicle upkeep and fuel.Uber has encountered substantial competition from rival applications such as Bolt and inDrive, in addition to regional alternatives like Lagride.

This withdrawal coincides with an announcement from Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi regarding a 10% reduction in the company's global workforce, equating to approximately 3,300 jobs, aimed at reallocating resources towards higher-return initiatives such as autonomous vehicles.

The Nigerian ride-hailing market will now depend significantly on alternative service providers. Competitors including Bolt, inDrive, and the Lagos-state-supported Lagride are anticipated to capture the majority of the remaining market share.
Uber has committed to providing a "one-off goodwill payment" to assist current registered drivers during the operational phase-out.


Although vehicles are entirely off the road, Uber's customer support center will continue to operate online until September 23, 2026, to help users and drivers address any unresolved account balances or concerns.

Nonetheless, Uber has stressed that this withdrawal is exclusively confined to Nigeria and Uganda. Operations are still fully functional in other key African markets, such as South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Egypt.