Uber exits Nigeria after 12 years, announces global layoffs of 3,300 workers
Chris Steven
Uber, the global ride-hailing company, has announced plans to discontinue its operations in Nigeria and Uganda, effective Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
The company said the decision followed a “thorough review” of its operations and investment priorities, stressing that the move is limited to the two countries and will not affect its other operations across Africa.
“After a thorough review, we have taken the difficult decision to wind down operations in Nigeria and Uganda, effective September 2, 2026,” Uber said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The company said its immediate priority is to support drivers, riders and local employees affected by the transition.
Uber launched its operations in Nigeria in 2014, beginning in Lagos.
The exit comes alongside a global restructuring by the company, which includes plans to lay off 3,300 employees, representing about 10 percent of its global workforce.
Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s chief executive officer (CEO), announced the restructuring in an internal email published by the company on Wednesday.
According to Khosrowshahi, the restructuring will reduce the number of managers at the company by 20 percent, with some employees currently in management positions moving into individual contributor roles.
Uber said it is focusing its investments on markets where it believes it can create the most value for drivers by providing earning opportunities at scale and enabling riders to travel seamlessly.
The company, however, said it remains committed to sub-Saharan Africa, describing the region as one with “robust growth and long-term opportunity”.
Uber said it was communicating directly with affected employees, drivers and riders about the implications of the exit.
For employees in Nigeria, the company said it would provide support during the transition and communicate details of the applicable arrangements.
It also said it had contacted active drivers to offer “a token of our appreciation” following the discontinuation of its services.
The company did not disclose the number of employees, drivers or riders affected by its exit from Nigeria and Uganda.
Uber said rider support would remain available for 21 days after the discontinuation of its services to address outstanding queries and transition-related matters.
The company also assured riders that their personal data would continue to be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws, privacy requirements and its policies.
It said data retention would be limited to information required by law, while appropriate security controls would remain in place.
Uber’s exit will also affect corporate customers using its Uber for Business service in Nigeria and Uganda.
The company said the service would be discontinued in both markets and that it was engaging affected business partners to support them through the transition.
Uber said its decision to leave Nigeria was not linked to a recent directive by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) concerning e-hailing operations at Nigerian airports.