‘Uber rapture’ leaves passengers and drivers behind in Nigeria and Uganda
Uber has abruptly shut down its ride-hailing service in Nigeria and Uganda, with some users and drivers reportedly left mid-journey when the app cut out, prompting online jokes about an "Uber rapture." The company gave notice on 2 September that the service would end that same day, offering little warning to customers, drivers or staff who relied on the platform, and leaving rivals such as Bolt, SafeBoda, Faras and inDrive to absorb displaced demand.
Uber launched in Nigeria in 2014 and Uganda in 2016, once running a boat service in Lagos to dodge traffic, but said the exit is limited to these two markets and does not affect the rest of Africa, where it insists it remains "deeply committed." The withdrawal follows Uber's earlier departures from Ivory Coast and Tanzania, leaving it operating in just Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa on the continent, and comes as the company undertakes a broader global restructuring cutting over 3,000 jobs. In Nigeria, drivers had long complained of rising fuel costs, high commissions and mounting competition, while Uber has not confirmed whether these pressures drove its decision; it also did not respond to The Register's questions about the abruptness of the shutdown.
In short
- Uber exits Nigeria and Uganda with almost no warning
- Some rides reportedly cut off mid-journey on 2 September
- Part of wider Uber job cuts and African market retreat
Explained simply
Uber is a company that connects passengers with drivers through a mobile app, taking a share of the fare. It began operating in Nigeria in 2014 and Uganda in 2016, as smartphone-based ride-hailing became an alternative to taxis and other local transport.
Drivers using these platforms can depend on them for income, while passengers may rely on them to arrange trips. Uber has also left some other African countries over the years, and its business on the continent is now concentrated in a smaller number of markets.
Other ride-hailing services in Nigeria and Uganda include Bolt, SafeBoda, Faras and inDrive. Uber’s retreat comes amid wider changes at the company, but the reasons for leaving these two markets have not been confirmed.
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