WED SEPT 02 2026-theGBJournal| Uber is winding down operations in Nigeria and Uganda, marking a fresh retreat from African markets as the ride-hailing company simultaneously announced plans to cut about 3,300 jobs globally in its biggest workforce reduction since the pandemic.
In Nigeria, Uber said it would end its operations on September 2, 2026, bringing to a close its 12-year presence in the country after launching in Lagos in 2014. The company also confirmed the shutdown of its Uganda operations on the same date, meaning it is exiting two countries in the latest move.
“We are writing to share some difficult news. 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 in a message to customers.
The company thanked Nigerian users for their support, saying it had been “an absolute privilege” to be part of their daily lives and to connect them with independent transportation providers. It said its Help Centre would remain available until September 23, 2026, to handle final account enquiries.
In Uganda, Uber similarly told drivers that it had made the “tough decision” to wind down operations, meaning riders would no longer be able to receive trip requests through the app from September 2.
The African exits come as Uber undertakes a major global restructuring designed to simplify its operations, reduce management layers and redirect spending towards its core ride-sharing and delivery businesses as well as its growing robotaxi ambitions.
The restructuring will affect about 10% of Uber’s global workforce, with roughly 3,300 employees set to lose their jobs. Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi said the company had become more complex after years of expansion, creating “more layers, more coordination, more fragmented ownership.”
The latest moves underline a broader shift in Uber’s strategy: rather than pursuing expansion at all costs, the company is concentrating capital and personnel on businesses and markets where it sees stronger long-term growth potential.
Uber’s departure removes one of the country’s most established international ride-hailing platforms after more than a decade, leaving competitors to compete for Uber’s riders and drivers in a market that has become increasingly crowded.
X-@theGBJournal|email:gbj@govbusinessjournal.com|govandbusinessj@gmail.com
