Ride-hailing companies Bolt and inDrive are positioning themselves to capture a larger share of Nigeria’s mobility market following Uber’s exit from the country.
Uber, which operated in Nigeria for about 12 years, ended its ride-hailing services on September 2, citing “evolving business priorities and investment focus across the continent.”
The exit has created an opening for rival platforms as thousands of drivers, fleet operators and riders adjust to the changing market.
For inDrive, Nigeria remains a strategic market in Africa, with the company saying its active user base has continued to grow year-on-year.
The company said that it has made significant investments in Nigeria and intends to deepen its commitment through further investments in service quality, safety, technology and local communities.
Beyond conventional ride-hailing, inDrive said it is developing solutions for mobility investors and fleet owners, allowing them to put their vehicles to productive use and create additional income opportunities through its platform.
The company also expressed its readiness to welcome drivers and mobility investors affected by Uber’s departure.
“We also welcome drivers and mobility investors who may be affected by Uber’s exit to join the inDrive platform and continue serving passengers across Nigeria,” the company said.
It added that its objective was to provide drivers with flexible earning opportunities while ensuring passengers continue to enjoy affordable, reliable and increasingly diverse mobility services.
Meanwhile, Bolt also acknowledged that Uber’s departure could create some uncertainty within the ride-hailing industry but said it remained focused on the long-term development of the Nigerian market.
Bolt’s representative, Appa-Dankyi, said the company would continue working with drivers, riders, regulators and other stakeholders to strengthen the sector.
“However, our focus remains firmly on the long term. We will continue working closely with our drivers, riders, regulators and other partners to contribute to a reliable, accessible and sustainable mobility ecosystem in Nigeria,” he said.
With Uber no longer operating in the country, the rivalry between existing platforms is expected to intensify as Bolt and inDrive seek to attract more drivers, riders and mobility investors.
