Uber facilitates a billion African trips across 10b kilometres
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Uber has facilitated one billion trips traversing 10 billion kilometres in Africa since the global ride hailing tech firm began operation on the continent in 2013.
Ubers says the 10 billion kilometres of trips “is equivalent to travelling to the moon and back over 5,500 times.”
Uber and Uber Eats collectively reached over 30 million riders and eaters in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in the decaded.
“Since entering the market in 2013, we have created over 6 million economic opportunities in over 50 cities across SSA that we are present in.
“We pride ourselves in building locally using global expertise. Each country’s needs are unique so we take the time to understand each of the market needs so we can be responsive and adapt accordingly,” explained Lorraine Onduru, Uber Head of Communications for East and West Africa.
“We’ve expanded our offerings in markets where we currently operate, innovating with new business models to serve changing needs.
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Unlocking opportunities in Africa
“The focus for Uber in Africa as it embarks on the next one billion trips is to continue unlocking opportunities through movement and changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Onduru added, per Nairametrics.
“While each country offers its own unique opportunities, we have found the region to be defined by agility, creativity and adaptability.
“This provides Uber with the perfect conditions to launch and nurture our on-demand economy in collaboration with the local partners to adapt a global business model into an African environment with diverse political, business and socio-economic dynamics.”
Expansion in Africa
Uber in the past one year expanded to over 21 cities in South Africa, two cities in Ghana (Cape Coast and Takoradi) and four cities/areas for delivery in Kenya (Nakuru, Ongata Rongai, Syokimau and Kitengela).
It plans to launch in more regional towns and cities in 2022.
Uber in May expanded to four cities in Nigeria – Uyo, Warri, Enugu, and Kano.
It will mark six years in Ghana in June, another testament to the role it plays as a partner to its cities of operation.