Uber Technologies has ended its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria and Uganda, bringing its 12-year presence in Nigeria to a close as the global mobility company separately announced plans to cut about 3,300 jobs.
Uber confirmed the Nigerian and Ugandan withdrawals on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, saying they followed a review of its operations and “evolving business priorities and investment focus across Africa,” according to reports published on the same day.
Uber entered Nigeria in 2014, launching first in Lagos before expanding its ride-hailing service to other parts of the country. The company said its customer support centre would remain available until September 23, 2026, to handle outstanding account enquiries.
In a message to Nigerian customers on Wednesday, Uber thanked users for trusting its platform over the past 12 years and acknowledged the disruption caused by its departure. The company also said it was engaging with affected drivers, riders and local employees during the transition.
Uber’s withdrawal comes weeks after a dispute over the operation of e-hailing services at Nigerian airports, but the company has said the two developments are unrelated.
On July 30, 2026, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) directed Uber and Bolt to cease commercial operations at FAAN-managed airports pending the finalisation of licence agreements, according to an internal memo reported by Nigerian media.
However, on August 20, 2026, FAAN clarified that it had not imposed a blanket ban on e-hailing services.
In a statement issued that day, the airport authority said its objective was to establish an operational framework covering safety, security, accountability and orderly airport transportation. FAAN said discussions with e-hailing operators were continuing.
Uber’s September 2 announcement therefore represents a broader business decision rather than an airport-specific shutdown.
The Nigeria and Uganda exits were announced alongside a separate global restructuring at Uber.
According to Reuters on September 2, 2026, Uber plans to eliminate approximately 3,300 jobs, equivalent to about 10% of its global workforce. The company had about 34,000 employees at the end of 2025.
Uber Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi said the company had accumulated additional management layers and organisational complexity during its rapid expansion, slowing decision-making.
Reuters reported that the restructuring will flatten management layers, consolidate teams and generate savings that Uber intends to reinvest in growth, innovation and areas including autonomous vehicles.
Uber also plans to invest more than $10 billion in robotaxi-related initiatives in the coming years, as competition intensifies from autonomous-driving companies and robotaxi operators, Reuters reported on September 2, 2026.
Uber’s departure removes one of the country’s best-known international ride-hailing brands from an increasingly competitive market.
For drivers, the immediate impact is the loss of another platform for securing passengers. Many drivers operate on multiple platforms, however, meaning some may shift towards competitors including Bolt and inDrive.
For passengers, the withdrawal reduces choice. The impact on fares will depend on how quickly competing platforms absorb Uber’s former drivers and customers and whether available driver supply keeps pace with demand.
The departure also comes after years of pressure across Nigeria’s ride-hailing industry over fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, commissions and fare levels.
Uber’s 12-year Nigerian journey therefore ends at a time when the economics of app-based transportation remain challenging for drivers, passengers and platforms alike.
The company’s exit does not amount to a withdrawal from Sub-Saharan Africa. Uber continues to operate in other markets across the region, while its global restructuring signals a stronger focus on efficiency, technology and emerging autonomous-mobility opportunities.
