Uber's "journey in Nigeria has been one of growth, empowerment and transformation," Tope Akinwumi, the company's then country manager, wrote last year in the forward to a report that hailed its impact in Nigeria. The Silicon Valley company claimed to have contributed 34bn naira ($26m) to the local economy in 2023, saying that it had helped riders save 1.8m hours compared to their other commuting options. "Looking ahead," Akinwumi wrote, "Uber is dedicated to furthering its contribution to Nigeria's growth, development and innovation."
The company was the pioneer of online ride-hailing in Nigeria. It entered the country in 2014 and expanded into 12 cities. Not so long ago, it enjoyed a dominant position in the market and seemed set to be a key player in the future of urban mobility in Nigeria.
But Uber's final destination in Nigeria has proven to be the exit door. "After a thorough review of our business, we have made the tough decision to wind down our operations in Nigeria," it said in a statement to customers on 2 September.
And it is not just Nigeria where Uber is in retreat. At the same time it also announced its withdrawal from Uganda after a decade in the country. It quit Tanzania in January and left Côte d'Ivoire in September 2025.
Originally published by African Business.