Uber has reached a significant milestone, having completed one billion rides across all of its African regions. The company, which launched in Africa in 2013, with a presence in Johannesburg, South Africa., claims to have facilitated 1 billion trips on the continent.
Over 10 billion kilometers of travel have been completed, which is equivalent to traveling to and from the moon over 5,500 times. During the same time period, Uber and Uber Eats jointly reached over 30 million Sub-Saharan African riders and eaters.
“Since entering the market in 2013, we have created over 6 million economic opportunities in over 50 cities across SSA that we are present in. We pride ourselves in building locally using global expertise. Each country’s needs are unique so we take the time to understand each of the markets’ needs so we can be responsive and adapt accordingly,” says Head of Communications for East and West Africa Lorraine Onduru.
Uber has expanded to over 21 cities in South Africa, two cities in Ghana (Cape Coast and Takoradi), and four delivery cities/areas in Kenya (Nakuru, Ongata Rongai, Syokimau, and Kitengela) in the last year, with plans to launch in more regional towns and cities this year. This month, Uber expanded to four additional cities in Nigeria, including Uyo, Warri, Enugu, and Kano, and in June, Uber will celebrate six years in Ghana, demonstrating the role Uber plays as a partner to the cities in which it operates.
Uber Eats, the company’s food-delivery arm, has also been a significant contribution to the company’s growth. Uber Eats, which debuted in South Africa six years ago, has grown from 1000 restaurants to over 8000 merchants across 36 cities in South Africa and Kenya.
“We’ve expanded our offerings in markets where we currently operate, innovating with new business models to serve to change needs. The focus for Uber in Africa as it embarks on the next one billion trips is to continue unlocking opportunities through movement and changing how people, food, and things move through cities,” says Onduru.
The company says it has created over 50,000 driver jobs across Africa. Both Uber and Uber Eats are reported to have delivered 30 million rides and food orders in sub-Saharan Africa.
“While each country offers its own unique opportunities, we have found the region to be defined by agility, creativity, and adaptability. This provides Uber with the perfect conditions to launch and nurture our on-demand economy in collaboration with the local partners to adopt a global business model into an African environment with diverse political, business, and socio-economic dynamics”, adds Onduru.
