Uber’s decision to end its ride-hailing operations in Nigeria has left some drivers facing a difficult financial challenge, particularly those who obtained vehicles through financing arrangements and relied on income from the platform to meet their repayment obligations.
Uber discontinued its Nigerian operations on September 2, 2026, bringing an end to its 12-year presence in the country. The company said the decision followed a review of its business priorities and investment focus, while stressing that the withdrawal was limited to Nigeria and Uganda and did not affect its other African operations.
The immediate concern for drivers is not only the loss of access to Uber customers but also how they will continue paying for vehicles acquired specifically for ride-hailing. The issue is particularly significant for drivers using vehicles financed through mobility company Moove, which has a partnership with Uber.
Under the previous arrangement, drivers using Moove-financed vehicles for UberGo were required to operate exclusively on Uber’s platform. With Uber no longer taking ride requests in Nigeria, those drivers have been left seeking clarity on how they can continue generating enough income to meet their financial commitments.
The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transport Workers of Nigeria said affected drivers would need to migrate to competing platforms, particularly Bolt and inDrive. The union’s Public Relations Officer, Steven Iwindoye, said the transition was taking place at a difficult time because many drivers were already struggling with fuel, vehicle maintenance and other operating costs.
The union also raised specific concerns about vehicles financed through Moove, asking what would happen to cars acquired or deployed for Uber operations now that the platform had withdrawn from the country. For drivers still servicing loans, the central issue is whether income from alternative platforms will be sufficient to cover repayments while also paying for fuel, maintenance and household expenses.
There has, however, been an important development for Moove-financed drivers. Following Uber’s departure, Moove reportedly informed its drivers that they were free to operate on alternative ride-hailing platforms such as Bolt and inDrive. The change removes the immediate exclusivity barrier that previously restricted some financed drivers to Uber.
That permission could provide affected drivers with a way to replace some of the trips lost after Uber’s shutdown, but it does not automatically remove their financial obligations. Drivers who still owe money on their vehicles remain responsible for their repayments, meaning the ability to secure sufficient trips on competing platforms could determine whether they can remain current on their loans.
The challenge is particularly serious because drivers were already operating under rising costs before Uber's exit. Fuel expenses, repairs, servicing and other running costs have increased the amount required to keep a ride-hailing vehicle on the road, while drivers have also complained about pressure on their earnings.
For Bolt and inDrive, Uber’s withdrawal creates an opportunity to attract both drivers and passengers from the former platform. But the drivers’ union has warned that simply moving from one application to another will not resolve the broader economic problems affecting Nigeria’s app-based transport sector.
The union said drivers needed a more sustainable operating environment in which earnings could cover the cost of running vehicles and provide reasonable returns. It also called for greater engagement between ride-hailing companies and drivers’ representatives on issues affecting welfare and working conditions.
Uber said its immediate priority was to support affected drivers, riders and employees during the transition and that it had begun communicating with active drivers. The company also said it would provide drivers with a token of appreciation as they transitioned away from the platform.
The company’s departure comes amid difficult operating conditions in Nigeria’s ride-hailing market, where rising fuel costs, inflation, currency pressures and competition have increased the strain on both drivers and platforms. Reuters reported that Uber did not disclose how many Nigerian drivers or riders would be directly affected by the withdrawal.
Uber has also rejected suggestions that its decision was directly caused by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s recent actions concerning e-hailing operations at airports. The company said the withdrawal followed its review of business priorities and investment focus, while maintaining its commitment to opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Economist and Chief Executive Officer of Economic Associates, Dr Ayo Teriba, described the development as a sector-specific issue rather than evidence that Nigeria as a whole had become unattractive to investors. However, he argued that authorities should examine the conditions surrounding Uber’s operations, particularly its business at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, to determine whether regulatory and operating issues contributed to the company’s difficulties.
For Nigerian drivers, however, the immediate question is more personal than the wider investment debate. Those who bought or financed vehicles on the expectation of earning regular income through Uber must now find new sources of revenue while continuing to meet their existing financial commitments.
Uber’s exit therefore represents more than the disappearance of another ride-hailing application from Nigerian smartphones. For drivers with outstanding vehicle financing, it has created a sudden test of whether alternative platforms can provide enough work to keep their cars on the road, their loans up to date and their livelihoods intact.
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