Uber Continues African Expansion, Announces Official Launch in Côte d’Ivoire

Global ride-hailing giant, Uber Technologies has officially launched its operations in Abidjan the capital of Côte d’Ivoire on Friday, December 6, 2019.

The launch was announced by Marjorie Saint-Lot, the Country Manager for Uber Côte d’Ivoire after 12 months of successful engagements with regulatory bodies and relevant industry stakeholders in the country.

Speaking at the launch, Saint-Lot said she was thrilled about what it represents for people and businesses in Abidjan.

 “As a native Ivorian, I am particularly thrilled at what this launch represents for the people and businesses of Abidjan in particular, and the rest of the country at large. As the first Francophone market for Uber in Africa, the launch in Abidjan puts the city on the global map whilst creating even more avenues for wealth and earning opportunities amongst the people.”

Marjorie Saint-Lot, Country Manager for Uber Ivory Coast

Alon Lits, the General Manager for Uber in Sub-Saharan Africa said he was optimistic that the coming of Uber to the city will provide economic opportunities to taxi operators in the city.

“We are both optimistic about the opportunity in Abidjan and committed to enabling meaningful economic opportunities to all licensed taxi operators in the city,”

Alon Lits, the General Manager for Uber in Sub-Saharan Africa

He added the Uber has the potential to enhance the existing operations of thousands of Ivorian transport providers.

“We believe that Uber has the potential to enhance the existing operations of thousands of Ivorian transportation providers as well as continue to improve upon the safety, reliability and affordability with which people move around Abidjan. We are confident in the future impact that our technology and the local team can have.”

Alon Lits, the General Manager for Uber in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abidjan with its over 4.7 million population is Uber’s newest market and its first expansion into an African Francophone country.

Since Uber started its African expansion in Johannesburg in 2013, it has expanded to 16 sub-Saharan African cities with over 59,000 registered drivers across the continent.

With its launch in Abidjan, Uber is now available in major African hubs including Cape Town, Nairobi and Lagos. Uber currently records about 2.7 million active monthly riders in Africa.

Uber’s launch in Abidjan follows the ban of its operations in London and its pledge to venture deeper into the continent.

Abidjan, being the first Francophone expansion, could spark the beginning of more expansion into more Francophone speaking countries within the continent for Uber.

However, for a stake in the Ivorian ride-hailing market Uber will have to compete with existing ride-hailing companies like TaxiJet, AfriCAB, IvoireTaxi.