Click to watchUber, the global mobility giant, has shut down operations in Côte d’Ivoire after six years of operation, marking its first withdrawal from the African continent. The company cited no official reason, but pressure from driver cash-flow needs and regulatory frictions outweighed its brand power.
The mobility company first entered Côte d’Ivoire on December 5, 2019, launching in Abidjan. For six years, it competed with rivals like Bolt, Yango, and Moja Ride, a local player. The exit, which occurred on September 24, now leaves those platforms to absorb its market share.
This is not the first time Uber has struggled in Africa. In April 2022, it suspended operations in Tanzania following regulatory hurdles. Yet the company still operates in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. But even with strong adoption, the platform has repeatedly faced driver protests over commission rates, payout schedules, and policies. In Nigeria alone, drivers staged more than two protests in 2025.
Industry observers say the deeper challenge in Côte d’Ivoire was a mismatch between Uber’s global model and local realities. Drivers in Abidjan rely on daily access to earnings to cover fuel, maintenance, and household expenses. Uber’s payout cycle and fee structure left many feeling squeezed. Riders also complained about fares and vehicle availability.
The company’s shutdown highlights an important lesson for mobility platforms in Africa. Success depends not just on a strong brand but on adapting to cash-sensitive economies, driver financing needs, and evolving regulatory rules. Solutions that provide faster payouts, affordable vehicle leasing, and better partnerships with local banks and insurers stand a better chance of scaling.
Uber’s exit reshapes the mobility landscape in Côte d’Ivoire, but it also signals to investors and founders that Africa’s transport markets reward companies that design for local cash flows and policies from day one.
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