LOCAL RIDE-HAILING FIRMS TARGET UBER’S MARKET

Nigerian ride-hailing companies are looking to expand their market share following Uber’s exit from the country after 12 years of operations.

The departure is expected to create an opportunity for local operators to attract drivers and passengers who previously relied on the global platform.

Alero Fregene, Country Head of SimpliRide Nigeria, said the changing market would allow indigenous companies to compete more strongly on pricing, driver earnings, safety, reliability and customer service.

She said ride-hailing operators needed to build their services around the economic realities facing drivers and passengers, particularly as rising fuel prices, vehicle costs, maintenance expenses and insurance continue to increase operating costs.

SimpliRide uses a subscription-based model under which drivers pay a platform fee and retain their base trip fares, rather than surrendering a commission on each ride. The company said the model is designed to give drivers greater control over their earnings.

Fregene also said drivers joining the platform could continue using other ride-hailing applications, allowing them to compare earnings and choose the platforms that offer better returns.

Uber ended its Nigerian operations on September 2, 2026, after operating in the country since 2014. Its exit has intensified competition among local and international operators seeking to capture its former customers and drivers.