Di world ride-hailing giant, Uber, don announce say im don close operations for Nigeria and Uganda wit immediate effect. Di company talk say e don reach di ‘difficult decision’ after dem do thorough review of di business.
Uber start for Nigeria for 2014, and for Uganda two years later. But drivers for Nigeria don dey complain long time say di prices for app too low, especially as cost of fuel don rise. Dem also dey complain say commission wey dem dey charge too high. Plus, competition from rival platforms dey hot.
As dis one dey happen, Uber chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi, talk say company dey cut 10% of dia global workforce. Last year, Uber don already comot for Ivory Coast and Tanzania. So now, na only Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa remain for Africa.
But Uber talk say di decision na only for Nigeria and Uganda. ‘We remain committed to sub-Saharan Africa,’ e talk for statement to BBC. ‘We still see strong growth and opportunity for di continent.’
For Nigeria, Uber don even expand beyond road. For Lagos, e launch boat service for 2019 so commuters fit bypass di city wey known for terrible traffic jam. Lagos na one of Africa biggest and busiest cities, with gridlock wey fit finish patience and even hamper business.
Di ride-hailing market for Nigeria don become tough for all operators. Drivers don stage protests and industrial action for recent years, dey complain say money dey short, fare dey low, and working condition bad. Plus, di cost of living don rise since President Bola Tinubu comot fuel subsidy after im election for 2023. Dat one keep petrol price low for many years but now e don blow. Again dis year, motor don see another rise for petrol price wey dey tied to US wahala with Iran.
For Uganda, di Daily Monitor newspaper talk say Uber departure go be big change for commuters for Kampala. But maybe no worry, oda taxi apps like Faras, Bolt and SafeBoda go fill di gap. Uber promise to support employees and drivers wey di decision affect, and dia help centre go still open for Nigeria and Uganda until 23 September to handle outstanding matters.
