Uber has shut down its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria and Uganda, ending 12 years in Africa’s largest economy effective September 2, 2026, the company confirmed. “After a thorough review of our business, we have made the tough decision to wind down our operations in Nigeria, effective 2 September 2026,” Uber said, according to Vanguard.
The Nigeria exit came the same week Uber halted operations in Uganda, with a company spokesperson confirming the move after users began receiving notifications that rides were unavailable, according to CNBC Africa. Neither announcement detailed specific operational or regulatory reasons for the withdrawal.
Uber launched in Lagos in 2014 and grew into one of Nigeria’s dominant ride-hailing platforms over the following decade. “We know this may cause disruption to your routine, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience,” the company said, setting a September 23, 2026 deadline for users to submit account-related inquiries before the platform fully winds down.
The exits come amid mounting pressure on Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector, where rising fuel costs, inflation and currency volatility have squeezed both platforms and drivers in recent years. Uber retains operations elsewhere on the continent, including Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, according to the Africa Intelligence Brief.
The pullback adds to a mixed picture of foreign investment on the continent, coming the same month global business leaders converged on London for the FT Africa Summit to court investment into African markets, underscoring the gap between high-level investment pledges and the operating realities multinational firms face on the ground.
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