Uber just took up and ended ride-hailing operations in Nigeria and Uganda, as part of cuts to its entire workforce.
The decision was announced September 2, 2026 and comes as Uber is going to cut around 3,300 jobs worldwide, or about 10% of its workforce.
The ride-hailing service provider described its exit from Nigeria and Uganda as a “tough decision” following a review of its changing business priorities and investment strategies across Africa.
Uber said it is limited to the two countries and does not affect its operations in other African markets.
Uber’s exit from Nigeria is the end of a 12-year period in one of Africa’s biggest economies. The company entered the Nigerian market in 2014 and started in Lagos, and then in other markets.
Its mobile-based transport service has become an integral part of urban mobility for riders and drivers via its app.
But the Nigerian market has become more and more difficult. There is so much competition among ride-hailing services, and the cost of fuel, inflation, and currency volatility have driven up transportation platforms and drivers’ costs.
Uber declined to offer any reason for the Nigerian withdrawal beyond the business review.
In Uganda, Uber had been available since launching in Kampala in 2016. The sudden departure of Uber will shake up the local ride-hailing landscape as other companies will be able to attract drivers and passengers who used Uber.
The African exits arrived alongside Uber’s much larger global restructuring. According to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, the company would reduce its workforce by about 10%.
Uber has about 34,000 employees, so the cuts could touch around 3,300.
Khosrowshahi said Uber’s rapid expansion in recent years has led to more layers of management, a more scattered role structure, and less decision-making. The restructuring is designed to make the company leaner, simplify its structure, and enable team members to get more involved with the company’s core functions.
The big focus is Uber’s push into autonomous transportation. The company is putting huge resources into robotaxi technology and other future mobility opportunities.
The restructuring is therefore seen in a larger context to reduce complexity and free up capital for strategic investment.
But for riders and drivers in Nigeria and Uganda, the announcement is a game changer. Uber has said it will support affected drivers, riders, and local team members in this transition too.
In Nigeria, the company’s help centre is expected to be available until September 23 for issues with account-related matters.
The twin exits illustrate how rapidly the global mobility industry is changing.
Uber is still looking forward to growing in key markets and investing heavily in next-generation transportation, but it is also assessing where its resources are most likely to produce the best long-term returns.
