Uber announced it will cease ride-hailing operations in Nigeria and Uganda on September 2, 2026. This decision is part of a broader global restructuring effort, which also involves cutting approximately 3,300 jobs, representing about 10% of its global workforce. The company stated this move is a result of a review of its business priorities and investment strategy across the African continent.
The restructuring aims to flatten Uber's corporate structure, reduce management layers, and redirect resources toward areas with greater growth potential. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi noted that rapid expansion led to increased complexity and slower decision-making. The company plans to reduce the number of employees seven or more reporting layers below the CEO by 20% and cut teams with only one or two direct reports by nearly half. Additionally, fully remote roles will be reduced to about 1% of the workforce.
The savings generated from this restructuring will be reinvested into innovation and growth, particularly in autonomous mobility. Uber intends to invest more than $10 billion in robotaxis in the coming years, supporting companies developing autonomous driving technology. This strategic shift positions Uber to become a marketplace for driverless rides amidst intensifying competition in the autonomous mobility sector from companies like Waymo and Tesla.
While Uber's departure marks a significant change in Nigeria's ride-hailing landscape, it is a targeted retrenchment rather than a full withdrawal from Sub-Saharan Africa. The exit from Nigeria, one of Africa's largest ride-hailing markets, is not linked to a recent dispute with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) regarding airport operations. Drivers and passengers will likely transition to alternative platforms such as Bolt, inDrive, LagRide, and Rida. The move raises questions about the challenges of operating in Nigeria, including rising costs and foreign exchange pressures.
Uber has been operating in Nigeria since 2014 and has faced operational challenges, including disagreements with drivers over fares and commission rates, leading to protests in 2017, 2023, and 2025. Despite these challenges, the company stated that it would continue to support drivers, riders, and local team members through the transition, with rider support remaining available for 21 days after operations cease. Uber for Business services in Nigeria will also be discontinued.
