Uber exits Nigeria and Uganda, lays off 3,300, launches robotaxis in London

In early September 2026, Uber announced it is shutting down its operations in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect, leading to the layoff of 3,300 employees. The company cited challenging market conditions and regulatory hurdles as reasons for the exit. This leaves a competitive field of at least seven other ride-hailing companies vying for Uber's former riders and drivers in Nigeria, including local players like HBM Nigeria, which recently inaugurated a high-capacity compressed natural gas (CNG) station to support its fleet.

On the same day, Uber unveiled a new robotaxi service in London, developed in partnership with the autonomous driving company Wayve. The service will operate on the U.K.'s winding streets, marking a strategic shift for Uber toward more advanced, automated mobility in profitable markets, even as it withdraws from less lucrative regions in Africa.