Uber, a Nigerian mobility company, has launched its first bike-hailing service in Nigeria, which will be operated in the country’s largest city, Ibadan, Oyo State. According to Tope Akinwumi, the country manager, this is the case.
The ‘okada’ rides, according to the company, would cost between N100 and N200 depending on the distance. Uber has been operating in Nigeria for the past eight years, with offices in five cities: Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
The country manager felt that there was a need to continue providing transportation and mobility solutions, which is why the motorcycle service was launched. She stated shortly after the launch
“As we recover, we know we need to continue to offer solutions that respond to consumers who are looking for smart mobility solutions, while providing new revenue streams and earning opportunities for drivers”.
The motorcycle service has previously been launched in other countries. In 2014 it was launched in Thailand but failed after two years because of the government’s policy in the country. It 2018, it was launched again in Uganda where it was a success and even expanded to Kenya.
There are speculations as to why it wasn’t introduced in Lagos which is usually the first point of entry for most companies testing the Nigerian market, however the “okada ban” in Lagos would pose a major challenge to the service.
Meanwhile, Bolt, formerly Taxify, launched its bike-hailing service in Ibadan in July 2019. Ibadan is the largest city in West Africa and the second largest in Africa, after Cairo, Egypt.
The city has a population of over 3.65 million people, with a metropolitan area of over 6 million people. A significant inducement for the launch of the service in the area.
