Ride-hailing giant Uber has officially announced the shutdown of its operations in Nigeria and Uganda as of September 2, 2026, ending a 12-year run in the Nigerian market. First launching in Lagos in 2014 and expanding to Abuja in 2016, the platform stated that the exit follows a thorough review of its evolving business priorities and investment focus across Africa.
Uber emphasized that this decision is strictly limited to these two countries and will not affect its operations in other African markets, where it continues to see strong growth.
Addressing recent industry friction, the company clarified that its departure is completely unrelated to the recent Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) directive that temporarily barred e-hailing services from commercial operations at Nigerian airports over licensing agreements.
While Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo later intervened to resolve operational concerns for ride-hailing services, Uber maintained that its decision was strictly strategic, driven by a desire to reallocate investments to markets with greater long-term scalability.
To soften the impact of the sudden departure, Uber expressed a commitment to supporting its local staff, corporate partners, active drivers, and riders through the transition period. Active drivers are being contacted with tokens of appreciation, while services under the Uber for Business arm will also be wound down.
Furthermore, customer support will remain available for 21 days following the shutdown to resolve outstanding queries and assist with transition-related matters.
Regarding data protection, the company assured users that rider information will continue to be handled securely and strictly in accordance with applicable privacy laws and internal retention policies. Moving forward, Uber stated it will concentrate its regional investments on sub-Saharan markets where it can deliver maximum value for drivers and seamless experiences for passengers.
