This September marked four years of Uber’s operations on the African continent.
Since its launch in September in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) there are now 1.8 million active riders using the app and 29,000 active driver-partners.
In Kenya alone there are 363,000 active riders and 5,000 active driver-partners, while in Uganda, there are 48,000 active riders, 1,000 active driver-partners. In Tanzania there are 53,000 riders and 1,000 driver- partners.
SSA has certainly benefitted from Uber’s arrival. Citizens have a new, reliable way to get around, entrepreneurs have found a new way to earn an income and cities have also benefitted – with possibly less cars on the road and therefore less carbon emissions.
In a statement, General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Alon Lits said: Currently we have more than 29,000 driver-partners taking advantage of Uber’s earning opportunities. Drivers love being as flexible as they like; earning what they want, when they want, whether it’s a full-time entrepreneur or someone looking to supplement their income.”
Here’s a look at how the service has made an impact on the continent:
Statistics at a glance:
In Total: Sub saharan africa: 1.8 million active riders, 29 000 active drivers
South Africa: 969 000 active riders, 12 000 active drivers
Nigeria: 267 000 active riders, 7 000 active drivers
Ghana: 140 000 active riders, 3 000 active drivers
Kenya: 363 000 active riders, 5 000 active drivers
Uganda: 48 000 active riders, 1 000 active drivers
Tanzania: 53 000 active riders, 1 000 active drivers
A look at driver-partners
In a region of high unemployment and stagnating economic prospects, Uber’s business partnership approach provides an accessible means for entrepreneurs to not only supplement their own income, but also to become small business owners, thereby helping to improve the lives and futures of individuals, families and communities.
The steadily growing number of Uber driver-partners in countries across the region is testament to the appeal of the model, because it creates real opportunities for local entrepreneurs. And as demand for rides also grows, so does the demand for driver-partners.
“Ongoing commitment to our driver-partners is a key priority; ensuring they receive the latest in technological innovations means they can be at the top of their game,” added Lits.
Uber continues to open support hubs across the continent to ensure driver-partners are well-equipped. Apart from existing hubs across the continent, three more of these state-of-the-art Greenlight Hubs were opened in Dar Es Salaam, Nairobi, Kampala, Kumasi and Lagos this year and, in addition to offering driver-partners technical and app support, Uber also offers information sessions and workshops to driver-partners.
A look at riders
The 1.8 million active riders using the app since Uber’s launch on the continent is testament to the new mode of transport that riders are embracing. Which is not hard to believe when with Uber, riders have access to safety features such as driver and vehicle identification, In-App help, GPS and feedback post each trip.
According to Lits, Uber strives at all times to collaborate closely with local regulators to understand the challenges they are grappling with in their cities and then help them to develop workable and accessible solutions that benefit people and economies.
“It’s with this in mind that Uber has just launched Uber Movement in Johannesburg, a new website to help urban planners, city leaders, third parties and the public better understand the transportation needs of their cities,” said Lits.
Lits added, “Four years have gone by incredibly quickly. We’ve learnt and grown; we look back at our time in sub-Saharan Africa with pride because we’ve achieved so much and look forward to what’s next to come.”
